ALDEN WILLIAMS/STUFF

State Highway 1 near Marton is closed due to surface flooding (file photo).

A heavy downpour has closed State Highway 1 in Rangitīkei, with detours expected to be in place until Tuesday morning.

The sudden deluge on Monday afternoon also flooded residential streets in nearby Marton.

New Zealand Transport Agency regional highways manager Ross I'Anson said State Highway 1 was closed at the railway overbridge just before Calico Line, Marton.

Nearby drains had been cleaned, with flooding not happening for the past two years, he said.

"But if we get lots of heavy rain in a short period of time, it tends to flood."

Diversions would be in place until 7am on Tuesday, when the situation would be checked, he said.

The heavy rain on Monday also impacted Marton, with a council spokeswoman saying there was surface flooding on multiple streets.

The water table was high due to recent rain, while falling leaves had blocked some drains, she said.

"It's nothing to do with rivers."

 - Stuff