Thousands of South Island homes were still running by candelight last night as line crews today resumed battling through some of the worst snow in nearly 30 years to restore power.
Canterbury has been hit heaviest by the big snow dump and households have been struggling to cope in the bleak conditions.
In mid-Canterbury alone up to 500 homes were without power and water for a fourth night.
Electricity Ashburton general manager Gordon Guthrie told NZPA the snow had caused unprecedented damage, particularly on private property, between the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers.
"By the end of today we should have all the lines back on along roads but then there's connections to make on properties.
"We are just going ahead and fixing things and sorting out any costs down the track. If there is damage on properties (caused by fallen trees) we will charge the person who owns the line."
Mr Guthrie said rural South Islanders were getting by without power but they were becoming irritated not having any (power-pumped) water for toilets, washing and stock.
"People just don't realise how much we rely on water until this happens.
"There is still a lot of snow lying around. It is frosty this morning. The snow is freezing on top and we are just a couple of days off the shortest day of the year."
Heavy snow dumps had caused almost as much damage as in 1973 and more than the big snow storm of 1992, Mr Guthrie said.
Police said they would continue to take a hard line on motorists who ignored "road-closed" signs.
Near the Lindis Pass, police yesterday slapped a string of instant $150 fines on motorists who tried to make the SH8 journey despite the closed signs to Cromwell.
In central Otago, graders and snow ploughs worked overtime to clear snow and ice off roads. Some schools still remained closed for a fourth day running.
All state highways in the area were open but care was needed owing to the treacherous conditions.
Chains were required on most alpine stretches.
Some central Otago farmers said this week's snowfall at 46cm was the biggest since 1939.
Retired farmer Rua Hore, 82, has lived all his life on the family farm at Blackstone Hills Station, near Becks, 40km northeast of Alexandra and he said the snow was twice as high as the previous record of 1939.
Meanwhile, an operation to rescue up to 10,000 sheep trapped in snow began today on high-country stations around Lake Pukaki in Mackenzie Country.
Operation co-ordinator Rob Phiskie, of Agriculture New Zealand, said about 20 men would attempt to move the sheep from snow up to 1m deep, while the weather allowed.
It is the first time a big rescue operation has been mounted in the area since 1992.
- NZPA
Thousands still without power in South Island
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