Residents near the Rangitata River on the Canterbury Plains have been told to evacuate immediately after extreme rain. The Timaru District Council has posted an evacuation notice for the area between McLelland, Orion Rangitata Mouth roads, and Rangitata River. BEJON HASWELL/ STUFF Traffic backed up to the Rangitata Bridge after the Rangitata River breached its banks. Torrential rain in the upper catchment of the Rangitata River on Friday and Saturday morning caused waters to rise rapidly. JOHN BISSET/STUFF Campers along the Rangitata River have been told to evacuate after extreme rain.

Source: Stuff December 06, 2019 22:58 UTC