Photo: Timaru District Council via FacebookThe Timaru District Council is now advising some residents in the evacuation area south of the Rangitata River to stay put if they haven't already left. A state of emergency has been declared in the district as the swollen Rangitata River continues to rise and has led to the closure of the route between Timaru and Christchurch. Now the council is saying anyone still left on Rangitata Island, south of the river, to stay put and contact emergency services if they do not feel safe. Timaru Emergency Operations Centre spokesperson Stephen Doran said they are working with Fire and Emergency to get people out. The Timaru District Council said Civil Defence Information Centres were being being set up at Geraldine Library & Service Centre, Talbot St and in Temuka at Alpine Energy Community Centre, Ferguson Dr.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 06, 2019 23:01 UTC