Drivers have been battling through flooded streets in eastern Christchurch.

Today's heavy rain has caused the Avon River to swell, with water flooding on to streets in Avondale and New Brighton, including Anzac Dr between Pages and Wainoni roads.

A spokeswoman said the city council had put traffic management systems in place.

"We've got our guys out there with signs and doing what they can."

She said the flooding was expected to recede when the tide went out.

"This is just an unfortunate consequence of the earthquakes. When it rains there is often surface flooding in those areas," she said.

Motorists were advised to be careful when driving in the area.

MetService forecaster Philippa Murdoch said 20 to 30 millimetres of rain was expected to fall in Christchurch today.

"That's quite a lot of rain, but it's not what we'd call heavy rain."

Rain would ease tonight and would clear overnight, she said.

A southerly change about noon would also keep temperatures cooler, with today's forecast high only 16 degrees Celsius.

A Fire Service spokesman said the rain was a relief after last week's searing temperatures and high winds that sparked fires in the Selwyn District, destroying homes and killing livestock.

A heavy-rain warning has been issued for Marlborough and Kaikoura.

Tomorrow morning would be cloudy then fine in Christchurch, with rain developing at night, Murdoch said.

On Thursday morning, more rain was expected to continue to hit the region, then ease to a few showers in the afternoon.

Showers were also expected on Friday morning, she said.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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