<\/p>\n
\n(File photo)
\nPhoto: 123RF\n<\/p>\n
Hundreds of households in the lower South Island are still without electricity after severe thunderstorms damaged powerlines.<\/p>\n
Power has been restored to many homes in Mosgiel near Dunedin, but at 10pm provider Aurora still listed around 300 customers impacted by outages.<\/p>\n
Dozens of rural areas in Southland are also affected by blackouts.<\/p>\n
Photos posted on social media captured lightning strikes hitting power poles.<\/p>\n
Aurora’s website estimated a restoration time of 10.30pm Thursday.<\/p>\n
In Southland, dozens of smaller scale outages have cut power to rural areas east of Invercargill and north of Gore.<\/p>\n
MetService earlier issued a severe thunderstorm warning over Dunedin and Clutha which has since been lifted.<\/p>\n
\u26a0\ufe0f Warning Update \u26c8\ufe0f <\/p>\n
Severe Thunderstorm Warning – Clutha and Dunedin City<\/p>\n
Severe Thunderstorm Watch – North Otago, Dunedin, Clutha<\/p>\n
More information: https:\/\/t.co\/VDYb51QBlL<\/a> @OtagoCDEM<\/a> @nztaos<\/a> @OtagoRC<\/a> @DnCityCouncil<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/2wpRkW3wKT<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MetService NZ (@MetService) December 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \nLightning strikes a power pole in Mosgiel on Thursday night. <\/p>\n
\nPhoto: Supplied\n<\/p>\n