Cyclone Gita now making landfall in New Zealand's South Island Cyclone Gita is making landfall in the upper NW South Island.

It's expected to happen between now and 8pm NZDT. Landfall occurs when the centre of the low crosses land.

After landfall Gita will split into two centres - one on the western side of the South Island, the other to the east of the South Island, says WeatherWatch.co.nz

"This will develop over the next several hours ahead. The eastern low may deepen further - bringing severe gales to Banks Peninsula and up to Kaikoura in coastal areas and more rain to Canterbury.

"Rain will continue over the South Island across Wednesday. There are extensive powercuts across Taranaki and some power cuts on the West Coast.

"Rain totals are now reaching 150mm in the upper South Island but rain should ease there now that the centre is moving in - with rain continuing over the Western, Central and Eastern parts of the South Island."

#BreakingNews: #CycloneGita now making landfall in #NewZealand's South Island https://t.co/1gbouQux9L via @weatherwatchnz #weather #storm #Gita

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) February 20, 2018