Weather live: Flooding in Akaroa as wild weather moves south

Weather Live: Flooding in Akaroa

Akaroa has been hit by severe flooding as a storm moves south through New Zealand. Heavy rain has turned the recreation ground into a lake and caused streets near the sea to flood. An orange heavy rain warning is in place for the Banks Peninsula, with up to 100mm of further rain expected until 6pm Tuesday.

Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains are also under a heavy rain watch until 10am. Local authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have roading crews on standby. Transport officials are watching water levels in Lake Forsyth that could affect State Highway 75 between Christchurch and Akaroa.

Meanwhile, Wellington experienced strong winds on Monday, with gusts reaching 193km/h at Mount Kaukau and 128km/h at Wellington Airport, the strongest since 2013. An orange heavy rain warning is also in effect for Wellington's eastern hills until 11pm Monday, with about 15-25mm of additional rain expected.

More than 30,000 properties lost power due to fallen trees and power lines across the lower North Island. Powerco reported about 23,000 connections lost, with 10,000 in Wellington alone. Manawatū-Whanganui is under a state of emergency, and homes on Lincoln Road in Masterton were evacuated due to falling trees. Air NZ canceled flights in and out of several major centers, including Wellington.

Authorites are urging residents to stay updated on weather conditions and remain prepared for further disruptions. The situation is being closely monitored by local councils and emergency services to ensure safety and minimize impact on daily life.