The local council has announced the main roads to Roxburgh will remain closed until at least Friday.
Diggers work in Roxburgh's Reservoir Creek drainage in a race against time before next the downpour. Photo: RNZ / Ian Telfer
State Highway 8 has been cut at the town's north and south ends since a flash flood brought down slips on Sunday night.
As of this afternoon, tap water has been restored to the entire Roxburgh township, however it will still need to be boiled.
Running water and sewerage services were lost from the Central Otago town on Sunday after a flash flood destroyed its reservoir's main pipe and its power supply.
Townsfolk have had to use portaloos and collect water from street tankers. The council said although running water was restored, sewers may be damaged so residents should continue using portaloos for now.
Contractors and volunteers have continued to clear the tonnes of silt which was deposited from the hills onto Roxburgh's streets after the deluge, during which 40mm of rain fell in just three hours.
Civil Defence minister Kris Faafoi spoke to media. Watch here (audio affected by poor signal):
Months of dry weather had left the rural township of 600 people with bone-dry soil, so the water had nowhere to go.
The roads had been expected to reopen today but the Central Otago council has announced the closures will now be reviewed at noon on Friday.
A diversion is in place through Miller's Flat and Lake Roxburgh Village, but the council is urging people travelling to and from Central Otago to avoid the area and take State Highway 85 or State Highway 6 instead.
Roxburgh Area School will also remain closed for the rest of the week as the clean-up continues. Principal Gary Pasco said without running water, staff had not been able to sanitize the areas affected by floodwaters and mud.
Mr Pasco said parents had been advised doors would not open until Monday at the earliest.
He said no alternative venue was available.
A Central Otago District Council spokesperson said light rain overnight had not presented any fresh concerns for contractors and emergency management staff.
