Wild weather continues to lash our Kiwi neighbours with intense rainfall and high winds throwing a huge chunk of concrete bridge into an overflowing river.
A 50-metre section of the Pyramid Bridge near Riversdale collapsed on Tuesday morning and is currently travelling downstream in Southland’s Mataura River.
‘There had been a build up of debris at the bridge today, due to the high water flow following yesterday’s heavy rainfall,’ explained the Gore District Council as they urged people to steer clear of the waterway.
A 50-metre section of the Pyramid Bridge near Riversdale has collapsed on Tuesday morning
The main pipe servicing the Otama water supply scheme was severed along with the bridge
According to Stuff.co.nz, the main pipe servicing the Otama rural water supply scheme has been severed, leaving 253 properties without water.
The council is exploring options to provide a tanker to restore a supply of clean drinking water to the households and livestock affected by the disruption to the Otama Water Scheme.
Eyewitness Les Hannigan was standing on the bridge just moments before part of it was washed away: ‘Whoosh, it was gone. Half the bridge disappeared,’ he said.
He was in the area to keep the road closed temporarily, but given the collapse he told the publication that it will now be closed indefinitely.
‘Stunned’ Gore District mayor Tracy Hicks said that their first priority is now ensuring the safety of the structures and roads in the area.
People are urged to steer clear of the water so that council workers can begin to fix the bridge
In the meantime, the council have asked people to stay away from the bridge site to allow workers safely into the area.
There are reports of a lot of bystanders and we need our staff to focus on securing the site,’ said a statement from the Gore district council.
The weight of the concrete chunk could soon cause the concrete chunk to sink to the bottom of the river at any point downstream of the bridge, in which case a helicopter would be used to search for debris.
The Benmore bridge, near Dipton, has been closed as a precaution as the Oreti River continues to rise. Road closure signs are in place throughout the region.
A cyclone in New Zealand has sent snow crashing down mountains in the Fox Glacier area
A storm in Wellington yesterday (pictured) smashed windows and closed down major roads
New Zealand has been buffeted by Tropical Cyclone Fehi with a state of emergency declared in Dunedin and the Buller District. Nelson, Mapua, Richmond, Westport and Waitara were evacuated on Thursday evening.
Torrential rain is expected to continue in Auckland as Christchurch battles scrub fires and Wellington endured wind speeds above 110km/h.
More than 90 motorists were stranded overnight near Fox Glacier after strong gales toppled trees onto the highway, and in the south, residents are warned to stay away from beachers and exposed areas.
The violent weather is expected to continue throughout Friday and settle over the weekend.