South Canterbury fords closed, rural water supplies shut down amid rain

Thursday, 1 May 2025

Residents woke to a blanket of white on Thursday morning after snow fell at Lake Takapō/Tekapo in the Mackenzie District overnight.

Fords have been closed across South Canterbury and two rural water supplies have been shut down in the Waimate District, as wild weather lashes much of the country.

An orange heavy rain warning was issued by MetService on Wednesday for Canterbury, between Amberley and Timaru, though until 6pm on Thursday.

The forecast was for 30mm to 60mm of rain on top of what had already fallen, with peak rainfall rates of 10mm to 15mm per hour expected about the foothills and a moderate chance of upgrading to a red warning.

George Empson captured this image on Thursday morning of overnight snow in Tekapo and says it is still snowing lightly.

The persistent rain, more than a month’s worth for the area, also caused the closure of several fords in the Timaru District.

The Timaru District Council said fords at Slacks Valley, Gualter, Casey, Goodwin, Blandswood, Chalmers and Burnham roads were closed and motorists were asked not to cross them.

“We have surface flooding on the network, signs are going up as required and crews continue to be out inspecting,” the council said on Thursday morning.

The council’s sports fields would be closed for the rest of the week and its parks team would review the situation on Friday as to whether weekend sport could go ahead.

George Empson captured this photo of a snowplow in Tekapo on Thursday morning.

In the Waimate District, the Hakataramea Pass was expected to be closed for a couple of days because of snow and flooding.

Fords in the district were also flooded and the council “strongly advised’’ motorists to find alternative routes.

The council said the Hook Waituna and Waihaorunga Rural Water Schemes had been temporarily shut down.

“This is due to the deterioration of water quality at the source of these schemes caused by the recent rainfall in the catchments,” the council said.

“We advise consumers to conserve water where they can.

“Unexpected interruptions are possible on our rural water supplies. It is important that your property has four days’ water storage of your supplied allocation as per the policy.”

The council asked affected residents to inform all staff or tenants and their neighbours.

MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said southerlies had brought the rain and snow, with snowfall across South Canterbury unseasonal.

Makgabutlane said Timaru had received 58mm of rain between Wednesday morning and 8am on Thursday. The April rainfall average for the area was 39mm, so the area had received more than a month’s worth of rain in the space of about 24 hours.

NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) reported up to 150mm of snow at Lake Tekapo, Burkes Pass, SH80 Aoraki Mount Cook highway overnight and on Thursday morning.

The Mackenzie District Council reported snow on some roads on Thursday morning and said more was expected.

The council asked residents to drive with care and to avoid travel if possible.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) reported snow at Lake Tekapo, Burkes Pass, and SH80 Aoraki Mount Cook Highway.

“All highways around South Canterbury remain open with up to 150mm of snow on Burkes Pass, around Tekapo and the highway into Aoraki/Mt Cook.

“Drivers should be prepared for poor visibility in the circumstances and travel later in the day if possible.”

Crews were ploughing snow on SH8 Burkes Pass through to Tekapo and onto Irishman’s Creek.

A road snowfall warning for the Lindis Pass (State Highway 8) remained in place as of 2.30pm on Thursday.

No highway closures were in place.

However, an NZTA spokesperson said five crews would be working on potholes, some 300mm deep, on Thursday and Friday on SH1 between Rakaia and Glenavy.

Significant surface flooding was also reported on that stretch of road.

The spokesperson said motorists should turn on their headlights, avoid travel if possible, and be ready for a slower journey given the poor conditions and potential for potholes in many places.

“We’re monitoring river levels but no concerns over any bridge assets in our area at the moment,” the spokesperson said.

“Monitoring will continue and more detailed inspections undertaken if required when river levels start to drop.

“We will have winter crews on tonight monitoring inland alpine routes and spreading grit as required.”

There could be some ice on roads on Friday morning.

“We also have two potholing crews monitoring and maintaining any deteriorating areas, concentrating on SH1 overnight tonight.”