Confronting aerial footage shows Otago's Clutha River flowing at levels not seen for nearly 20 years after torrential rains slammed the region.
According to the Otago Regional Council (ORC) "the Clutha River is currently flowing at 2720 cumecs, flood flows of this magnitude have not been seen in the Clutha River since November 1999".
The river is being closely monitored by the council and Clutha Civil Defence is on standby in case of flooding.
A barrier has been installed by the ORC staff that is designed to help protect the Balclutha township from flooding.
Farm manager of Otago's Riverside Farm, Adrian Winward, told 1 NEWS flooding is "becoming the normal" in the region.
"It's part of farming on a flood plain people complain but we've got a river and we can't really do anything about nature.
"We just have to learn how to live and work with it and we do our best and our best by our animals, it's all we can really do," Mr Winward said.
MetService has lifted the heavy rain warning for Otago and river levels will continue to be monitored throughout the day.
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