Road undercut by raging flood water

The edge of Riverdale Road is undercut by a raging Mangatera Stream Wednesday afternoon.

Despite a drier weekend more debris continued to fall and when Cyclone Debbie arrived on Monday this accelerated.

The substantial slip which occurred on Friday evening undercutting Riverdale Road, east of Dannevirke, has only become worse as the remnants of Cyclone Debbie hit the district.

Residents have expressed concern for years to the Tararua District Council as the Mangatera Stream gradually ate away at the bank, undercutting the road.

Remedial work was done several years ago but when 44mms of rain fell late the previous week the road gave way on Friday evening (March 31) in a loud rumble which frightened the Delaneys who are close neighbours.

Despite a drier weekend more debris continued to fall, and when Cyclone Debbie arrived on Monday this accelerated.

By Wednesday morning the Mangatera stream was at a peak higher than locals had seen in a long time, undercutting the slip and carving metres off the banks 50 metres further down.

One neighbour nearly lost a trailer and digger and just rescued the majority of pumpkins in a substantial patch before it went under water.

The road drops 20m vertically into the stream and is undercut, with cracks visible in the bitumen. Tararua Alliance has sealed off the outer part of the road reducing it to one lane controlled by traffic lights, and has banned trucks.

Council Chief Executive Blair King says the repair bill could be in six figures and the council will apply for help from the NZ Transport Agency.

Despite the council viewing the road as a vital transport link connecting Tipapakuku and Maunga Roads with Dannevirke, Mr King said it would be over to NZTA whether the road will be restored to two-way or left as a single lane.