Kaikoura cut off after mudslides block highway

The embattled tourist town of Kaikoura remains cut off as Cyclone Debbie continues to bring chaos to the roads.

State Highway One south of Kaikoura is likely to remain closed all day, the NZTA says.

High volumes of rain caused mudslides to block the highway in the past two days, pushing rock-filled containers over the edge of the road

Five mud and rock slides are now blocking the road in different sections and teams of excavators and loaders are working today to clear the landslips.

Five mud and rock slides are blocking the road in different sections. Photo / NZTA Facebook

"At Site 14, more of the soil and rock has come down in the heavy rain last night," says Steve Mutton, Transport Agency Earthquake Recovery Manager.

"The shipping containers have again been pushed closer to the sea and an estimated 2000 cubic metres has fallen from that slip face. This slip needs to be cleared and the containers reinstated before the road can reopen."

Waiau/Mt Lyford Inland Rd Route 70 to Kaikoura is still closed but NZTA says crews are working hard to reopen it.

Access to Clarence was restored this morning, with debris cleared from SH1 south of Kekerengu. Parts of the road will be reduced to one lane in several places and 30km/hour speed limit.

Flooding at Tirohanga has receded, but drivers need to take extreme care in many places.