Environment Southland (ES) has activated it's High River Watch today (5 Oct), following recent rainfall throughout the province.

Below is the status of the following rivers at 11am:

• Waikaia River at Waikaia was 1.77 metres above normal, rising 21 mm/hour.
• Waikaia River at Mahers Beach was 1.72 metres above normal and steady.
• Ōreti River at Lumsden Cableway was 2.23 metres above normal, rising 41 mm/hour.
• Irthing Stream at Ellis Road was 1.98 metres above normal, rising 34 mm/hour.
• Orauea River at Orawia Pukemaori Road was 2.32 metres above normal, rising 218 mm/hour.
• Waiau River at Sunnyside was 2.84 metres above normal, rising 20 mm/hour.
• Waiau River at Clifden was 2.48 metres above normal, rising 43 mm/hour.
• Waiau River at Tuatapere was 2.16 metres above normal, rising 94 mm/hour.

ES said that although rainfall was expected to ease this afternoon, further sites may reach watch levels as river peaks travel downstream.

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