Drone Footage Shows Flooding on New Zealand's South Island

Persistent rainfall caused flooding that led to the closure of a bridge on the Ashburton River in Ashburton, New Zealand, on May 31, local media reported.

The bridge reopened on June 1, the report said. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visited Ashburton to assess the flooding on Tuesday, the country’s Defence Force said.

Hundreds of people were evacuated as water levels rose. Around 154 mm (or six inches) of rainfall was recorded in the Ashburton, the New Zealand Met Service reported.

This footage was captured by James Reid on May 31, and shows the swollen Ashburton River. Credit: James Reid via Storyful