Flooding in Gore. Photo / High Country Helicopters
With swollen rivers still rising in some areas, DairyNZ reports that more than 100 dairy farms in Southland and South Otago are being severely impacted by the extensive flooding in the region.
While the scale of damage is unknown at this time, these farms are either under water or cut
off with access roads flooded, said DairyNZ's South Island manager, Tony Finch.
"We're in phone contact with many of the farmers. It's a dire situation for many right now. Their key focus is to get their people and their animals to safety."
"Farmers and their teams are moving their cows to higher ground where they can, and we know of some who have been able to relocate their herd to their neighbour's farm out of the danger zone."
Dairy farms in the Southland-South Otago, Oreti, Aparima and Clutha river catchments are the most severely impacted by the flooding, and many areas are now also without power.
Dairy companies are unable to get tankers in to collect milk as access to the farms is cut off. As a result, many farmers will need to dispose of the uncollected milk.
