Heavy rain over the past three days has helped boost hydro lake levels, the MetService says.
Yesterday hydro storage levels were reported up 3 per cent to 67 per cent of average for this time of year. There was more heavy rain in the South Island overnight, some of which would
have fallen in catchment areas.
"For example, over the last three days Mt Cook has received 250mm of rain," MetService senior forecaster Steve Ready told NZPA today.
Further north towards the main divide, falls between 200-250mm had been recorded, he said.
"Over on the West Coast there were regions which had about 500mm of rain over the past three days: it's been pretty wet," Mr Ready said.
"A lot of that would have been useful in filling catchment areas."
The heavy rain had passed, but the South Island could expect sporadic heavy rain falls over the next day or so, Mr Ready said.
The Government has asked people and businesses to save 10 per cent power. Tuesday's savings -- the most recent figures available -- showed savings were 7.4 per cent, the highest level since the power-saving campaign began.
Also on Tuesday, Energy Minister Pete Hodgson announced a new electricity commission would contract generators to provide reserve power to be released only in dry years.
The Government estimates it will cost an average household $40 a year, charged at a rate of 0.5 cents per unit of electricity.
- NZPA
