Damage to Awatere Valley Rd in Marlborough after heavy rain brought flooding, slips and landslides to the region, on Sunday, October 27. Photo / Supplied, Marlborough District Council
Marlborough has been hit hard by heavy rain over Labour Day weekend which brought flooding, slips and landslides to the region - photos show the sheer scale of damages.
MetService meteorologist Curtis Hayes said the complex low-pressure trough made for a wet weekend for much of the country, with some areas impacted more than others.
“In Marlborough, there was impact from both the low pressure and cold front,” he said.
“It threw a lot of cold air and moisture into that part of the country.”
Roads across the country have been closed as a result of the downpour.
In photos posted online, Marlborough District Council revealed the extent of slip damage and provided an update on road closures.
Marlborough Roads manager Steve Murrin said they didn’t expect to be impacted as much as they have been.
“We saw the forecast early last week and we didn’t think it would be too bad but we’ve been hit really hard,” he said.
Murrin said all roads are now open except Awatere Valley Rd.
Forecasters said almost all of New Zealand was expected to experience rain on Saturday as holidaymakers flocked north and south for Labour weekend.
Although the worst of the rain has cleared, regions like Marlborough are now left to pick up the pieces.
NZTA director of land transport Brent Alderton said with more traffic comes the need to take extra care.
“Holiday traffic means there will be congestion on highways in and out of the main urban centres on Friday and Monday. We’re asking everyone to make safe choices to protect themselves and others.”
Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
The researchers aim to create early detection tests, improving survival rates.