More rain is expected to develop over the weekend, with possible brief showers today and tomorrow, according to the Cook Islands Meteorological Service.

The much-needed wet weather that began last week and intensified on Tuesday with a heavy downpour in the morning has provided some relief to the struggling water intakes around Rarotonga.

According to Met Service director Maara Vaiimene, a low-pressure system that moved away from New Zealand and passed south of Rarotonga in the last few days was a contributing factor to the rain experienced this week.

Vaiimene said the weather cleared up yesterday except for a few brief showers, but predicted more rain this weekend.

He added that the Pa Enua experienced more rain than Rarotonga.

According to Vaiimene, the Nikao station recorded 0.7 millimetres of rainfall on Saturday followed by 68.2mm on Sunday and 5.3mm on Monday. On Tuesday, from 8am to midday, the station recorded 61mm of rain. Titikaveka collected 45.2mm of rainfall on Sunday and 12.4mm on Monday.

Vaiimene said Aitutaki recorded the highest rainfall so far this month, with 246mm falling on Sunday, September 1.

Rarotonga has been experiencing a dry spell lately, with recorded rainfall of 82mm in June, 58.4mm in July and 49.4mm in August.

Aitutaki recorded 26.8mm of rainfall in June, 47.8mm in July and 52.4 in August.

The northern group island of Penrhyn recorded the highest rainfall in the past three months with 144.2mm in June, 91mm in July and 225mm in August.

Late last month, some Rarotonga residents, especially those living in higher areas, reported of facing reduced pressure or no water in their taps.

Rarotonga’s water authority, To Tatou Vai (TTV), then said it had been severely impacted by the lack of consistent rainfall, resulting in some residents struggling to access reliable running water in their homes or experiencing no running water at all on a daily basis.

According to TTV, all intakes on the island were affected with Avatiu, Takuvaine, Ngatoe, Totokoitu and Avana the most impacted by the lack of rainfall.

Last month, five intakes were running between 30 per cent and 43 per cent capacity, four were running between 68 per cent and 84 per cent, and just one intake was on full capacity.

Cook Islands News has contacted To Tatou Vai for the most recent report on water intake levels around the island.

On Friday, TTV chief executive Apii Timoti said: “The dribbles of the last couple days certainly helped a little. “

As of Thursday afternoon, last week, Timoti said two intakes were at 92 per cent and 100 per cent “both of which are low head intakes”.

Five intakes were between 57 per cent and 71 per cent and three intakes between 43 per cent and 50 per cent.

“All intakes were of course above 80 per cent following the day of the rain, two days earlier. This obviously highlights the nature of our water supply, does not take long for things to change,” Timoti said on Friday.

“Therefore, the conservation practices must continue.”

Additional reporting by Melina Etches