More rain on its way

Heavy rain is to strike most of the country, including recently battered areas Bay of Plenty and Coromandel.

The heavy band of rain is predicted to move across the North Island later today, reaching parts of the South tomorrow.

A severe weather warning has been issued for Northland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Gisborne, Canterbury, and Otago.

Head Weather Analyst, Philip Duncan says Weather Watch.co.nz predicted that the first half of August would be very wet and that has defiantly been the case.

"Unfortunately the areas that have been hit by flooding and slips over the past three or four weeks are all in the firing line for more heavy rain from this system."

Philip Duncan says this time the rain is expected to move on more quickly - lasting for only about twelve hours.

Canterbury and eastern Otago can expect persistent rain from Sunday afternoon through to Monday night.

Over 100 mm may fall in some places in south Canterbury and eastern Otago on top of what's already a very sodden situation.

Photo: NZ Herald