Snow closes Lindis Pass as warning of more travel disruptions delivered

Update 12.10pm: The road has been opened

The highway over the Lindis Pass is closed delaying school holiday motorists travelling between Otago and Canterbury.

On Thursday morning the New Zealand Transport Agency reported roading contractors are working to clear the road and free stuck vehicles.

A section of State Highway 8 between Tarras and Omarama will be a no-go area while that work is underway and conditions remain unsafe.

There are also travel warnings for other roads in the south as MetService forecasts an unusually large amount of rain for the next 36 hours in coastal Otago.

NZTA is urging motorists to "avoid all non-essential travel".

"If you must travel, be prepared for unexpected hazards when driving in these conditions."

Meanwhile a red rain alert has been issued by Dunedin's Civil Defence Emergency Management team.

NZTA road closures can be found at https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions, while MetService weather warnings can be found at https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home.

Main image (Facebook/NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi- Otago & Southland)