Spate of crashes as heavy rain drenches much of South

Road users are being urged to take extra care on the roads around the South today as heavy rain makes for slippery surfaces. Several vehicle crashes have been reported on state highways in the lower and central South Island this morning, an NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi spokesman said. The forecaster has an orange heavy rain warning in place today for North Otago and Dunedin, with rain expected to continue into tomorrow. There is also a heavy rain watch for Southland and Clutha, from noon today until noon tomorrow. MetService warned of periods of heavy rain and said amounts could approach warning criteria, especially inland.