Heavy rain is again falling in Westland closing State Highway 6 from Haast to Makarora for the remainder of today (Friday 4 October).
Heavy rain is again falling in Westland closing State Highway 6 from Haast to Makarora for the remainder of today (Friday 4 October).
Rain began falling mid-morning and the slip at Diana Falls has started to move making it unsafe for motorists to travel through the area, says the NZ Transport Agency's Performance Manager Pete Connors.
"With the continual movement of material on the slip face and gravel and rock falling on to the highway, it is simply too dangerous for anyone to be travelling through the area.
"The rain is forecast to continue today and into the weekend. We will review the situation again at 9am tomorrow."
He says the Diana Falls slip sits within a challenging geological site and coupled with the forces of nature, it is proving difficult to stabilise and manage.
"As a result, there will be continued uncertainty with access along this section of State Highway 6 when there is heavy rain and this situation is expected to remain for some time yet."
