Rising river levels and surface flooding have left parts of Central inaccessible this morning.

Affected roads are in Omakau, Oturehua and Ranfurly.

Roads affected in the area include:

• Auripo Rd, no access from house 843 to Thurlow Rd
• Boundary Rd from Auripo to Ida Valley Rd closed
• Danseys Pass is now closed from McCready Rd, resident access only.
• Ida Valley Omakau Rd closed at the Omakau Bridge, viable detour for light vehicles via Swindon St, Ophir, using the Daniel O'Connell Bridge. Heavy Vehicles please use SH85. 
• Reef Rd, Oturehua
• Brindson Rd, Ranfurly

While surface flooding is the cause of many closures, Delta Services has requested the closure of Ida Valley Omakau Rd at the Omakau Bridge while they stabilise some power poles.

Omakau and Ophir are also on a boil water notice, while Ranfurly and Naseby remain on existing notices.

All water in the affected townships, which is used for drinking, food preparation, cooking and brushing teeth should be boiled until further notice.

A boil water notice warning greets people travelling into Omakau, where the Manuherikia River can be seen raging in the background. PHOTO: The Central App

People must bring water to a rolling boil for at least a minute before letting it cool naturally.

Water tankers are in place at the Omakau Domain and on Swindon St, Ophir, for anyone who wants to avoid using either of the town’s supplies.

Patearoa is on a conserve water notice.

A fast-flowing Manuherikia River, as seen from the historic Daniel O'Connell Bridge. PHOTO: The Central App

The river at the other end of Omakau, where a crew from Delta are working on a power pole. PHOTO: The Central App

MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said heavy rain in some parts of the district has well surpassed that of its usual average rainfall for October, which is about 30mm to 60mm.

In the past 60 hours Wedderburn has had 123.2mm and Danseys Pass 104.4mm.

Steady falls have also seen Lindis Pass get 65.2mm of rain over that same period, while Lauder has had 51.7mm, Ranfurly 49.5mm, Cromwell 47.1mm, Roxburgh 44.8mm and Alexandra 25mm.

He said more rain was in the forecast today, but would ease overnight into Saturday for a dry weekend, and “even a bit of afternoon sunshine”.

However, next week starts off with more wet weather.

Flooded paddocks in the Maniototo will take some drying out. PHOTO: The Central App

The Otago Central Rail Trail neighbours some of the flooded paddocks near Oturehua. PHOTO: The Central App

The Manuherikia River is flowing high and fast. PHOTO: The Central App

Showers are expected for the region on Monday, followed by a band of rain pushing through on Tuesday.

But, as the week progresses more fine weather will return as high pressure builds around the country.

“As we move into the following week, [October] 14th-20th, the signal for low pressure stays to our north and west so Central Otago could be in for another mostly settled week, but it's spring so I wouldn't discount a front passing over from the southwest,” Lewis said.

Click here for more information on boil water notices.

The Central App also has Weather and Roads updates.