Homes evacuated after two landslips strike Otago in an hour

Officers were "assisting local authorities with evacuations in the Irvine Rd area due to a landslip," police said. (file image).

Two houses in Dunedin have been evacuated after mud and bushes were seen moving in an apparent landslide — the second slip to hit Otago in less than an hour.

Severe weather has been battering parts of the South Island, with a state of emergency in place for the Kaikōura and Waitaki districts and severe watches active for parts of Otago, Canterbury and Marlborough.

Fire crews responded just before 4.30pm to reports of a possible landslide in a residential area, with the call indicating land was moving.

Crews evacuated two houses, with two fire trucks from St Kilda and Lookout Point in attendance, south comms shift manager Lyn Crosson told 1News.

Meteorologist John Law said another 50mm of rainfall fell over Kaikōura ranges overnight, on top of what had already fallen yesterday.

Police were also at the scene conducting door knocking.

Officers were "assisting local authorities with evacuations in the Irvine Rd area due to a landslip," a police spokesperson said.

The local council was assessing the situation to determine whether there was any further risk or cause for concern, Crosson said, describing the incident as a work in progress.

"There have been no reports of any injuries."

A geotechnical engineer was currently on scene carrying out an assessment, a Fire and Emergency spokesperson said shortly before 6pm.

"Crews are standing by while the investigation is underway. The findings will help inform any decisions about whether further evacuations are required."

Second Otago slip reported in an hour

Meanwhile, the Dunedin slip came about 45 minutes after Fire and Emergency was notified at 3.45pm of a landslide between two houses on Glen St in Oamaru.

Two fire trucks from Oamaru responded, with crews assisting in the evacuation of the properties on either side of the slip and a geotechnical engineer called to assess the site.

There was no indication of any damage to the properties and no injuries reported.

The occupants were evacuated for tonight, with a further assessment of the slip due tomorrow morning.

Truck drivers and holidaymakers turned away by emergency services after more than 350mm of rain fell in the last two days.

The slips came as a state of emergency remained in place for both the Kaikōura and Waitaki districts, which takes in Oamaru.

In Kaikōura, the severe weather was moving away today after two months' worth of rain fell on the town in 48 hours, according to MetService.

1News is providing live updates on the impacts from the severe weather