Work continues on getting rural roads across Tairāwhiti back in working order with more than 20 still impacted to varying degrees as of Monday.
Roads showing as “closed” on the Gisborne District Council website today were Bruce Rd at Kanakanaia at the 1km mark, Tiniroto Rd at The Bluffs, Whareponga Rd (5km), Waipiro Rd (17km), Kupuaroa (6.5km), Kaiawha (at the ford), Panikau (11km), Riverside (10km), Waihau (4.9km), Kaiaua (4km), Stevens Rd (2.6km), Tuparoa (ford), Mangaheia (1.3km), Anaura (whole road), Glenroy (5.5km), Wharekiri (2.2km), Mata Road - Lower (11km), Waimata Valley Rd (5km).
The emergency sewage discharge valves, which were opened into the city river system as the stormwater system came under intense pressure during last week’s storm, were closed again on Saturday.
The council reported the public was notified and health warnings would continue up to five days after the valves were shut.
A statement is to be made tomorrow to keep the public in the loop about what the council intends to do in the short term around the massive build-up of debris on the city beaches, particularly between The Cut and past Midway.
As of this afternoon, all the city and rural sports grounds remain closed.
Other closures included the Gentle Annie Lookout, Makorori Headland tracks, Waihirere Domain and Whataupoko Reserve mountainbike tracks.
Firstlight Network reported today that 10 customers in this district were still without power in the wake of the storm.
“Power restoration efforts continue for the final 10 affected customers,” a network spokesperson said.
Thirty-six customers were still affected on Sunday in the Rototahi, Loisels and Kanakanaia areas.
“The Wairoa region was fully restored at the weekend apart from the Whakapūnaki communication site, which was still running on back-up supply.”
