Residents advised to self evacuate overnight

Residents of six properties in the Christchurch suburb of Hillsborough have been advised to self evacuate overnight tonight because of the forecast for further heavy rain in the next 12 hours.

All the properties are in Lucas Lane and it is understood only three are occupied.

"The heavy rain in the last couple of days has been entering the cracks at the top of the cliff and while this has not resulted in any land movement, an inspection by our geotechnical staff this afternoon advised self evacuation as a precautionary overnight measure," the Council’s City Environment General Manager Jane Parfitt says.

"The geotechnical staff have advised there is no imminent danger. Self evacuation is simply a precautionary measure with more heavy rain forecast overnight."

She says the situation will be reassessed in the morning.