Heavy rain causes slip on Saddle

Nelson motorists travelling over to Blenheim on the Whangamoa Saddle had a slow start to their day after a slip blocked one of the lanes.

Emergency services received reports of a moving slip and fallen tree spilled over the road 4km into the Nelson side of the Whangamoa Saddle on State Highway 6 between Teal Valley Rd and Slaters Creek Rd.

Police received several calls before 6.30am from motorists in the area during Friday morning’s torrential rain.

A National Police Media Centre spokeperson said signs had been erected in the area to direct motorists.

Fulton Hogan contractors are at the site.

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) reported the road was down to a single lane access with a stop/go control. Motorists have been advised to travel with caution.

A temporary 30kmh speed restriction was in place for the area and it was unknown how long traffic would be affected.

MetService meteorologist Tuporo Marstern said the Nelson region was lashed by heavy rain at 10pm. A steady fall of 7mm of rain per hour fell throughout the night into Friday morning.

Takaka Hill saw a total of 72mm of rain fall overnight. Nelson had 30mm of rainfall with the heaviest bout felt early this morning.

Marstern said the rain was headed south toward Kaikoura and had started to clear over Nelson. However, northerly winds of up to 30km/h are expected to hit Nelson by the afternoon.

‘‘There will also be bands of showers, but the main rain band has gone through.’’

He said Nelson wouldn’t notice the weather easing until tomorrow but should still expect showers in the morning and a southerly wind.

‘‘Nelson should be sheltered.’’ Marstern said Nelsonians could look forward to a ‘‘sunny Sunday’’.