Severe weather set to hamper rescue effort

Published: 8:15AM Monday February 28, 2011 Source: ONE News

Severe weather is set to hamper the rescue effort in Christchurch as the desperate search for survivors continues.

The MetService has issued a severe weather watch for Canterbury tomorrow night as a low from the Tasman Sea crosses over the South Island.

Gale force northwesterlies are expected to develop in inland Canterbury through to the Banks Peninsula, before spreading north to parts of Marlborough and Wellington.

The winds are expected to be particularly severe around hilly area and continue into Wednesday.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said warm and blustery conditions are expected.

"That is a concern to us because there is a lot of dust in the city, a lot of silt - about 180,000 tonnes now," said Parker.

"This weather will tend to spread it around the city," he said.

He said there was no risk of toxicity from the silt, but that it is an irritant and will impact on some people's respiratory systems.

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The council has urged people not to travel unless it is essential.

Parker said the weather would also impact on the rescue operations where there is loose masonry.

"We are hoping that the weather will not be as violent, in terms of wind, as it could be, but we need to be prepared for that today."

Parker said Christchurch residents should take action now to secure parts of their property.

"If you've got a tin roof, you need to think about if that's well-tied down."

MetService forecaster Mark Pascoe said the weather had the potential to be "hazardous".

The 26-storey Hotel Grand Chancellor building is at risk of falling down as its foundations have been found to be unstable.

Much of the rest of the South Island is also expected to be affected by the severe weather.

Rain is also expected to become heavy at times in parts of Westland and northern Fiordland tonight.

The heaviest rain is likely to arrive in a burst early Wednesday, spreading through Buller and northwest Nelson Wednesday morning, the MetService says.

Spill-over can be expected into the headwaters of the main lakes and rivers feeding from the Southern Alps.

Rainfall accumulations in Fiordland and Westland are very likely to require a heavy rainfall warning, and this will probably be issued Monday morning, the MetService says.

Get the latest weather information on tvnz.co.nz's weather page .

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