CIVIL DEFENCE

MEDIA STATEMENT

Earthquake - September 6, 2010 Update - 7.15 am.

Canterbury Rivers Information.

Area: Kaikoura to Hinds

Upwards of 200mm of heavy north-west rain has fallen along the Alpine Divide as was predicted yesterday.

The major alpine rivers of Canterbury (Rangitata, Rakaia, Waimakariri, Hurunui and Waiau) will rise sharply during the day and evening. People should keep clear of the beds of these rivers throughout the day.

In particular, because of earthquake damage, people should keep clear of the stopbanks of the Waimakariri River below SH1 and the Kaiapoi stopbanks on the west side in the vicinity of Courtenay Stream and also above the Williams Street Bridge on the south side.

River engineers are working with Civil Defence at regional and local level.

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