15 Jul 2011

Rivers swollen in Waikato

6:01 am on 15 July 2011

Waikato Regional Council says people need to be extra-careful around swollen rivers and streams.

More than 100mm of rain has fallen in some places in the past week and larger rivers are expected to rise further until Saturday.

Duty emergency management officer Adam Munro says persistent rain over the past week has left the ground saturated.

The Waikato, Waipa, Wahou and Piako rivers are all swollen and water levels for the lower Waikato are not likely to peak until the weekend, despite the forecast improved weather.