All we want for Christmas is rainDAVID UNWIN/STUFF Manawatū River water levels are low after six weeks of little rain. Palmerston North residents can expect to come home to severe water restrictions after New Year unless rain forecast for Boxing Day brings serious relief from dry summer conditions. Water asset engineer Dora Luo said moving to level-three water restrictions would be an emergency measure that would cause significant inconvenience for residents and stress for businesses. SUPPLIED The tide is out and dropping further at Palmerston North's Turitea water storage dam a week before Christmas. Luo said there was a front forecast to bring rain across the lower and central North Island early next week.

Source: Stuff December 19, 2017 03:56 UTC