Photo: Ashburton CourierPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrived in Mid Canterbury this morning to inspect the flood-damaged region, which has been split in two after the closure of the SH1 Ashburton River bridge. While flows in the Ashburton River reduced dramatically overnight, traffic driving over the bridge before 7am on Tuesday reported it buckling. Ardern and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor travelled to Ashburton in a Defence Force helicopter which landed at the town's helipad at about 10am. The prime minister would also visit the emergency operations centre at the Ashburton District Council for a briefing. CLOSEDSH1 Burnham to DunsandelSH1 Ashburton, The Ashburton (Hakatere) River BridgeSH1 Temuka remains closed with the closure now from Donald St to Lynnford Rd in Hinds.

Source: Otago Daily Times May 31, 2021 22:29 UTC