Slip shuts the Pahiatua Track
The Pahiatua Track is another victim of Cyclone Debbie.
Contractors expect it will take two to three days to clear the slip and reopen the road, which closed on Wednesday.
That afternoon an excavator was making inroads into the debris sprawled across the tarmac.
The road, which is blocked at about 15km out of Palmerston North, is a main route linking Manawatu and Wairarapa.
The remnants of Cyclone Debbie hit New Zealand on Tuesday night.
Pahiatua-based councillor Alison Franklin said there had been constant rain in the 36 hours to lunchtime Wednesday, but it had not been overly heavy, nor had there been much wind.
As well as the slip on the Palmerston North side of the track, there was a tree down on the Pahiatua side.
‘‘The eastern side of Pahiatua has a bit of surface flooding.’’
But, she said, the the western side of the town, where she lived, was not flooded.
‘‘The Mangatainoka River has been up, but it’s not as bad as it has been in the past.’’
A severe weather warning was
An excavator was making inroads into the debris strewn across the tarmac.
in place for the Tararua Range, until about 3pm Wednesday, Metservice says.
Woodville’s Gorge Rd was also closed. Makairo Track was closed, but passable to residents with 4WDS. Range Rd and Broomfield Rd was closed because of flooding.
Meanwhile, Saddle Rd has small slips, so drivers were advised to pass with caution.
State Highway 3 through the Manawatu Gorge was down to one lane after a rockfall.