9:00 AM
The main flood threat to life and property in Canterbury has eased considerably in the past few hours, Bill Simpson of Environment Canterbury said this morning.
Mr Simpson said water levels in all the region's rivers have been going down, although the road system in the area has been crippled by the floodwaters.
He said local councils, police and Transit New Zealand have their hands full dealing with landslips, rock falls and countless road closures.
There were alarm bells this morning when an eye witness reported a breach in a stopbank along the Selwyn River south of Christchurch.
Engineers rushed to the location, one kilometre upstream from the mouth of the Selwyn, and were relieved to find the river only overflowing slightly.
Meanwhile, Christchurch police are urging motorists to stay off the roads today if possible.
Sergeant Roy Appley said Christchurch is cut off completely from the south, mainly due to the Selwyn River flooding.
State Highway One at Kaikoura is blocked.
The Lewis Pass is closed to road traffic and there are long delays through Arthur's Pass because of rock falls.
- IRN
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