Trampers missing near Dunedin - wild weather delays land search

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The search for two trampers missing near Dunedin will be reassessed this morning as bad weather bears down on the area.

The pair were reported missing today about 3.30pm in the Silver Peaks area, northwest of Dunedin.

Police said they had were alerted when the pair did not return from a planned walk.

A search and rescue team was assembled but inclement weather was an issue last night.

This morning a police spokesperson said the weather prevented the land search team from going into the area overnight.

"The situation was to be reassessed this morning," she said.

"We expect there will be some kind of update later this morning."

Thunderstorms in parts of the lower South Island sparked flooding and slips that closed state highways and caused havoc for holidaymakers.

Sandbag stations were opened in Dunedin and Queenstown collected almost 8mm of rain.

Overnight residents in Middlemarch were advised not to flush their toilets and avoid drinking water from bores as it was likely to be contaminated.

The Silverpeaks is an area of rough forest and tussock and scrub covered hill country inland and to the northwest of Dunedin,