Photo: NZTASeveral towns in the upper South Island are cut off after state highways were closed due to heavy rain causing high river levels, flooding, fallen trees and slips. The NZ Transport Agency said today towns including Westport, Nelson, Tākaka, Collingwood and Murchison in Tasman District were affected. Emergency response personnel were waiting until daylight to get a better idea of the situation - including when the currently closed roads into the region could be reopened. State Highway 6 from Westport to Rapahoe and SH73 from Arthurs Pass to Jackons were both closed due to slips. Evacuated residents were this morning asked to "stay away" from their homes, as the risk of moving floodwaters remained.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 16, 2021 23:37 UTC