Heavy rain triggers flooding, evacuations in Dunedin

July 5, 2026 10:51 PM EDT

WELLINGTON, July 6 (Reuters) - ‌Heavy rain ​triggered ​flooding, road closures and evacuations in New Zealand's southern city of ‌Dunedin and the neighbouring Waitaki District on ⁠Monday, with officials urging residents to stay home and ‌avoid unnecessary travel.

Dunedin ‌City Council said a range of roads in Mosgiel, west of the city centre, ​had closed overnight because of surface flooding, while the road over Three Mile ⁠Hill was also shut and small slips were reported on Otago ​Peninsula. Flood protection barriers were installed in Surrey Street, South Dunedin, and ​pumps and pipes had ‌managed rainfall so far, the council said.

An evacuation centre opened overnight in Mosgiel, ⁠where "a number of residents" were using the facility, including a family of five, the council ⁠said.

In Waitaki District, a state of emergency was declared ​after the heavy rain caused widespread flooding and more than 20 people self-evacuated, according to local reports ‌citing officials.

MetService said that Dunedin and Oamaru had received 100 mm (4 inches) ‌of rain in the last 24 hours ⁠but the rain ‌was now expected ​to move northward to Canterbury and Marlborough.

(Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Jonathan ‌Oatis)



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