More than 2000 people remain cut off across Bay of Plenty this morning as the region remains inundated by flood waters. Edgecumbe remains under police cordon with its 2000 residents forced to evacuate yesterday when a stop bank collapsed on the Rangitaiki River swamping the town in a torrent of muddy water. River levels are dropping but the town is still likely to be under water a day after the Rangitaiki River breached its banks, officials say. A reporter in Taneatua said while much of the low-lying land was flooded, much of the damage did not compare with Edgecumbe. "There's mud everywhere, but it's not too bad, certainly not compared to Edgecumbe," he said.

Source: New Zealand Herald April 06, 2017 22:30 UTC