Heavy rain is now easing across Manawatu however all is not over with smaller rain bands moving back in this afternoon, reports WeatherWatch.co.nz.

Latest satellite and rain radar images show the main rain band now spreading into Central Plateau, King Country and towards Waitomo.

The NZ Herald also reports that flooded rivers have caught some farmers off guard, with reports of lambs drowning.

Meanwhile a cold front is slowly approaching Canterbury which will end the warm, dry, run of weather that has been in place since the large earthquake on Saturday.

The incoming cold weather can not only be seen clearly on the satellite map but also at weather sites along the South Island’s east coast.

Kaikoura has a gale at time nor’wester and 24 degrees, Christchurch has 21 degrees and strong westerly but just down the road in Timaru the southerly has arrived and it’s already 11.

Dunedin has 7 and Invercargill just 6.

The cold change will likely make the next 48 hours miserable for those who are still without power.