The swollen Maitai River in Central Nelson yesterday. Photo: RNZ/ Samantha Gee
Up to a dozen evacuated residents in the Nelson and Tasman region have been allowed to return to their homes.
Nelson mayor Nick Smith said the residents were evacuated after the Maitai River burst its banks yesterday morning, but have returned after the river levels dropped in the afternoon.
The mayor said they will still be monitoring the situation, as further heavy rain was forecast.
"We will be putting a lot of effort into where roads have been reduced to one way, and the sewer main that has broken will be the priorities for the next 48 hours as well as making sure we are well prepared for the next heavy band of rain that has been forecasted for Tuesday."
There were fears that 60 yellow-stickered homes in the region from last year's storm damage could experience further instability with the current heavy rain in the region.
Smith said those properties were mostly around areas where there had been landslide damage.
"We've been in touch through our navigators and working with those land owners, we haven't had any reports of those landslides significantly being reactivated but again, we will need to keep a close eye on them as we have further nasty rain forecasted for Tuesday."
A northerly airstream was expected to bring more heavy rain to Nelson Sunday morning.
Levels in all regional rivers had been receding, but there would be some minor fluctuations due to the occasional rain.
Some roads were still closed, and a rāhui was put in place for Tasman Bay until further notice due to wastewater overflows.
All ponded water should also be treated as contaminated.
Waka Kotahi have advised all main highways are open, some with speed restrictions.
Heavy rain was forecast to affect western parts of the South Island later on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
An orange heavy rain warning was in place for the Tasman area from Motueka westwards.
A heavy rain watch was also issued for Buller and Westland, with MetService warning it was likely to upgraded to an orange warning on Sunday morning.