Power cuts continue amid snow warnings

Electricity was cut after heavy snow on Monday. Picture / Chris Bedford.

Power companies are continuing their battle to reconnect hundreds of homes in Canterbury, as the Met Office warns of more bad weather on the way.

Hundreds of residents have been without electricity since last Monday's heavy snowfall.

Electricity Ashburton said good progress was being made to restore power to rural areas.

But it warned that for many households on "side spur lines" - lines down on their properties - it could be well in to next week before power was restored.

Meanwhile, Orion CEO Roger Sutton said power had been restored to "all main areas of our network, although some minor faults may not have been brought to our attention".

"We need to hear from anyone out there who is still experiencing problems with their power supply so we can work on getting power to them as soon as possible," he said.

Civil Defence Minister Rick Barker yesterday toured the stricken area by helicopter and said that he was satisfied that everything possible was being done to help those affected.

The Met Office has said there will be more snow in the South Island over the next 24 hours, issuing a severe weather warning for Southland, North Canterbury and the Kaikoura Coast.

Mr Barker said authorities were geared up to deal with more bad weather, but in Timaru, council spokesman Graeme Stilwell said people were taking no chances.

He said there is a "once-bitten, twice shy" mood in the air, and everyone was stocking up.

Meanwhile, Motorists were urged to drive with extreme care this morning after freezing overnight temperatures left many roads covered in snow and ice.

Ice was being blamed for at least one fatal accident early today when a vehicle left State Highway 3 between Stratford and Inglewood killing the sole male occupant.

Police reported icy conditions throughout the country and advised drivers to stay at home unless their journey was absolutely essential.

Several South Island roads were closed and others open to vehicles with chains.

- NZPA / Newstalk ZB