Flooding affects Canterbury roads

Police are warning Christchurch motorists to take extra care this morning, with surface flooding in several parts of the city after 24 hours of heavy rain.

The city's Heathcote River burst its banks at Eastern Tce and surface water was causing minor problems in central Christchurch and several suburbs after almost 40mm of rain overnight.

A police spokesman said residents should stay put if they didn't need to go anywhere and motorists were being advised to take care. Some roads were down to one lane.

"We've got a heap of surface flooding all around the city but the rain is starting to ease off a bit," the spokesman said.

Christchurch City Council spokesman Bryn Somerville said flooding around the city was mainly caused by autumn leaves and debris blocking drains.

"It's the first decent rain we've had since the leaves started to fall. There's a fair bit of surface flooding but no real problems."

Transit New Zealand Canterbury/West Coast network manager Peter Connors said all roads in the region were still open.

"Obviously there's quite a bit of surface flooding in quite a few places but nothing drastic enough to close the roads."

MetService forecast manager Hayward Osborn said 38mm of rain had been recorded at Christchurch Airport over the last 24 hours, with 40mm falling at Le Bons Bay on Banks Peninsula.

The southerly was moving north but another cold draught was expected on Monday.

Mr Osborn said people heading to the Crusaders rugby clash with the Brumbies at Jade Stadium tonight would be advised to rug up well, with cold temperatures and showers forecast.

"We're in a quick-change scenario at the moment," he said.

MetService said a weather warning for South Canterbury had been lifted but there were still pockets of heavy rain from about Christchurch northwards, where another 20 to 40mm was possible before midday.

- NZPA, HERALD ONLINE STAFF