Source: Radio New Zealand
Fire and Emergency says crews from Taihape are responding. RNZ / Nate McKinnon
About 20 cars remain stranded by a slip in remote rural Taihape, with a Defence Force helicopter the only way to see how they are faring.
It may also be the only way to rescue them.
Rangitikei mayor Andy Watson said there was virtually no cellphone coverage.
He understood it was a local farmer who raised the alarm, calling emergency services to report what he could see.
It had been very hard to get information, he said.
It appears the cars took a back route after State Highway 1 was closed.
“They’ve found flood water that was too deep to drive through then slip has come down behind them and effectively blocked their path,” he said.
The helicopter from Ohakea would do a flyover to get a better idea of the situation and to rescue people if there was no other way.
The area had not been possible to reach by road yet, he said.
Residents in the wider district have told RNZ there are trees blocking may roads, with people not able to get to work.
Trucks stopped in Taihape. Supplied
State Highway 1 has been closed around Taihape.
Watson said it some of the roads the cars took would normally only see “half a dozen” cars a day, he said.
Rangitikei District Council said contractors were working to clear debris, and it was working with Civil Defence on a response to the situation.
Police said they were notified at 12.30pm.
St John Ambulance said it had so far not been required.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
