TORRENTIAL RAIN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 134, 19 March 1935, Page 6

TORRENTIAL RAIN

THREE INCHES AT TINWALD.

HEAVY FALLS IN SHORT PERIOD.

D OAY NP OUR THRO U G HOUT .COUNTY.

Torrential rain was experienced in the Ashburton County last night and during the early hours of this morning and within the space of about four hours up to 3.75 inches teii. The downpour was the heaviest tor many yeais. No great damage has been reported, but much water is lying in a number of districts. Toe Ashburton River has risen considerably, and is carrying a. good volume of water. Although the rain was heavy towards the hills, the central portion of the County appears to Have had the full force of the downpour. Hinds experienced a thunderstorm about 11 p.m., and the rainfall readied the amazing total of 3./5 niches up to this morning. This was the greatest fall reported from country districts. Tinwald was caught by the storm earlier than Ashburton, and 3.05. inches was recorded up to 9 o dock-this morning. Most of this fell in about fein* hours. Several hours’ rain at Lynnford saw 2.25 inches registered. In Ashburton the fall was three points short of two inches. This was recorded from about 2 a.m. till 4 a.m., when the storm fell witn all its force on the town. The ram was lashed by a steady south-west wind. AVater channels and gutters were soon flooded and there were indications in the streets this morning that water had covered large areas. AVeak places in roofs were found by the rain, and one or two residents discovered the water seeping through. The rain is generally considered very valuable. The ground was still dry after the drought, and could absorb a big volume of moisture, so that surface water was reduced to a minimum. Ploughing operations held up by the hard nature of the soil may now be resumed, and farmers will make the most of the opportunity within the next few days. The fall is the heaviest in one period in Ashburton since. May 5, 1934, when 2.78 inches fell in 24 hours. Last night’s rain was very much heavier, though, coming as it did within a few hours.

Conditions in the town to-day were showery, but the sun broke through the clouds at intervals this afternoon. The wind remained from the southwest. , The barometric pressure this morning was 29.81 inches, and extremes of temperatures yesterday were 75 degrees and 52 degrees.

DOWNPOUR AT-ROTQRUA. LITTLE DAMAGE REPORTED. ROTORUA, March 18. One of the heaviest rainstorms in the history of the district occurred today, over four and a half inches of rain falling between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Although considerable surface water is lying in the lower area of the town, no serious damage is reported. Minor damage was caused to practically all roads, but no serious slips are reported and all routes are open for traffic. In the business area, flooding of the stormwater drainage caused tho water to overflow on to the footpaths and had the ram continued, damage in some business premises would probably have been caused. As it was, the water was lapping the thresholds when the downpour ceased. NELSON ROADIS BLOCKED. NELSON, March 18. Nelson experienced heavy rainfall over the week-end and the rivers are flooded. The main highway to Motueka was impassable early this morning at the Appleby bridge, and the "VVai-iti River flooded the main AVest Coast road. At Brightwater 3.43 in. or rain have fallen since Friday night. The weather was clearing to-day.

TO-DAY’S FORECAST (Per Pcess Association). WELLINGTON, This Day. The Government Meteorologist, at noon to-day, issued the following statement regarding the weather: — General inference: An anti-cyclone of moderate intensity is moving on to New Zealand. The forecast for the east coast of the South Island) from Blenheim to Oamaru is as follows: Moderate to fresh southwesterly winds with scattered showers but improving. Seas rather rough to rough.