A torrential downpour caused flooding in parts of Christchurch today.
The heavy burst of rain around midday led to city streets flooding, the closure of a shopping mall, reports of a roof caving in and the Avon River rising rapidly.
Power went out when flooding entered parts of newly-opened The Colombo mall and caused it to close for two hours.
A Fire Service spokesman confirmed there were call-outs to around 20 jobs relating to homes or businesses that had flooded.
Crews were dispatched to help one business on Ferry Rd after fears its roof was going to collapse in the downpour.
However, it held up, helped by the fact that the deluge eased after a short burst.
A risk of thunderstorms and hail in Canterbury remains for the rest of the day.
