MORE HEAVY RAIN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 125, 9 March 1936, Page 6

MORE HEAVY RAIN

BOROUGH STREETS FLOODED. DOWNPOUR SINCE SATURDAY. FALL OF OVER THREE INCHES. The third heavy ram storm in Ashburton within a month, which commenced to fall on Saturday evening, had to-day inundated the town in one of the most severe deluges it has experienced. Fifty-seven points fell up to 9 o’clock yesterday morning, and a further fall of 297 points up to 9 o’clock this morning made a total of 354 points. Rain continued to fall heavily to-day with no sign of abatement. Channels in the Borough were insufficient to cope with the quantity of water and were overflowing in all parts this morning. Water stretched more than half way over the streets in some places and was mounting up to the crown of the roads as the rain continued. The water accumulated in West Street, the portion between Wills Street and Walnut Avenue being entirely under water for most of the way. The water was lying several inches deep on the sides of the road, and cars had to make slow progress through it. One motorist whose ignition system was damaged by the water had to be towed out. Parts of Domain Flooded. The yards at the Ashburton Railway Station were under water in some places, but train running was not seriously interfered with, only a few minutes being lost on schedule time. Water lay heavily in most parts of the Domain. The rose gardens and ovaL were reported to be almost completely under water this morning. Paths were flooded to a depth of several inches. Water stretched for 130 yards at a depth of six inches from the Walnut Avenue entrance. Water • was 18 inches deep at the corner of Chalmers Avenue and Albert Street this morning.

The ground had not dried property after the previous heavy rain two weeks aeo, and its sodden nature accounted ""to a certain extent for the amount of flooding. A total of 373 points of ram had fallen at Tinwald up to 9 o’clock tins morning, 58 points falling up to 9 o’clock yesterday morning, and 310 points for the following 24 hours. Pools of water lay everywhere in the district, as there was not sufficient avenue of escape for the storm water.

. Conditions in Country -Districts. The rain was general in country districts, where flooding of paddocks was reported. As the harvest has practically been completed the rain did not interfere seriously with it. The weather at Lauriston was very wet and wintry. It rained all day jesterday but during the night eased somewhat. Conditions, however, were again very boisterous to-day, with continued heavy, driving rain. Much surface water was in evidence, and a pi os pect of some flood water coming down from Methven area, if the rain did not soon ease. The harvest has been practically completed except for a few crops of peas still to be dealt with. Two hundred and sixty points of ram were recorded at Mount Hutt. Slight flooding was reported m \\ akanui, and a large amount of water was lying about. Harvesting by headers, and threshing out of stook has still to he carried on in some parts. The rainfall will involve heading operations being held up for some time owing to machines not being able to be cause of the sodden nature of the pad docks. Water Everywhere at Ashton. The greatest flood in memory occurred at Ashton, everywhere being under water. Flooding came hom water-races, which the rank g owth o the season had caused to block M«ui cars went through as usual this mom inn but the water was rising all th© Se Assisted by the violent wmd from the sea, the rain is expected to do damage to stacks, as it is being so hard that it cannot run off. Ba 0 s of stacked wheat are also proving a problem. A fair number of stooks aie. still out in this district. . No flooding has occurred m the Methven district, although water is lying on the roads. There are still unthreshed crops in the district which are likely to suffer. A total of 36 points fell since Saturday night. ih total rainfall for the year at Methven is 20 inches 21 points, made up oi 2UD points in January, 1235 points in February, and 577 points so far in March, The Hinds river has risen considerably, and was still rising this afternoon. Surface water is lying m all parts in the district, and was 18 inches deep in the hollow on the Ashburton side of the bridge at Hinds. Cars wele able to go through at slow speed. The Maronan Road was i in parts undei water, although the flood was not deep and extensive. All crops in the district are said to have been brought in. No damage was reported at Mayfield, where the rain continued without a break with a strong south-west-erly wind. Paddocks were waterlogged. The Hinds river at Mayfield was not in high flood, but was expected to rise at any time. Fean of River Overflowing. Conditions are very bad at ’Wheatstone, where it is feared that extensive damage will result if the river floods and overflows its bank. More water is lying about than when the river flooded three weeks ago, a tremendous amount being in the paddocks. Crops have not been affected so far, most of them having been taken in. Rainfall at Pendarves up To 2 o’clock to-day totalled 436 points, consisting of 59 points to 9 o’clock yesterday morning, 332 points up to 9 o’clock this morning, and 45 points since then. While there was no flooding in the dis- ' trict, the continuance of the prevailing

conditions is expected to set stock back considerably. Rainfall at Hackthorne amounted to 283 points for 48 hours. Water was lying about in paddocks, but there was no flooding. All the crops in the district have been gathered some time ago.

Five inches and 61 points of rain have already fallen in Ashburton during March, making this month the wettest March on record since 1913, the next highest figure being 4.28 inches in 1922..

The storm arose on Saturday evening with a sudden change of wind to the south. The maximum temperature yesterday was 47 degrees, compared with 75.5 degrees on Saturday. The maximum last night was 45 degrees, compared with 47 degrees on Saturday night. The Main South road between the Ashburton River and Tinwald was reported to be extensively flooded this afternoon for a distance of about ten chains and water was at a depth of six to eight inches on the road, which at this part rvas in a slight hollow. The road could be traversed only by motorists. . . No flood in the Ashburton River had been reported up to the time the “Guardian” went to press. The river was rising slightly, but was not at an abnormal level. Barometric pressure at 9 o clock this morning was 29.51 inches, compared with 29.61 inches yesterday morning. After a hot day on Saturday rain commenced to fall at Hinds early in the evening, increasing to gale force yesterday with heavy ram and hail. The spoutings on the buildings and side-channels were scon flooded, the water going well across the road Conditions were cold, with the wind from the south-west, and on account of the driving nature of the downpour visibility was bad. Heavy rain is continuing. The river was rising rapidly this morning. TRAINS DELAYED IN OTAGO. SOME SLIPS ON THE LINE. Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, This Daj. A southerly storm with heavy rain swept Otago at 1 o’clock on Saturday afternoon, continuing, with brief intermissions, till this morning, when there was little sign of abatement. The rainfall in Dunedin for the 40 hours was 3.17 inches, making 12 inches since the beginning of the year. The Motor Association reports that, all roads were clear at 8 o’clock, but trains have been delayed by slips. Tjie night express from Christchurch arrived at 9.45, a.m., over two hours late, having been delayed by a slip at Carey’s Bay, north of Bert Ohaimois. The 8.33 express south was held to allow the north passengers to join, while the north mail train is also detained till the arrival of the night train. . , , The Otago Central tram left on time, but lias encountered a slip at Mount Allan.

SOUTH * CANTERBURY CONDITIONS. (Per Press Association). ' TIMARU, This Day. After three days of brilliant sunshine South Canterbury experienced real wintry conditions during tlie week-end. Up to 4 o’clock on Saturday afternoon conditions were perfect, but then a sudden change took place. Rain set in in the evening and continued throughout the night and the greater part of yesterday. Up to 9 o’clock this morning the fall has been 2.12 inches. This brought the rainfall during the present year to 13.37 inches, compared with 4,80 for the corresponding period last year. The latest downfall will do much to complete the damage to wheat c, ops caused by the first fall. FLOOD AT LITTLE RIVER. FAST FLOW ON MAIN ROAD. CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Heavy rain and a southerly gale have been experienced in North Canterbury since yesterday morning. Little River was again flooded at mid-d,ay to-day. The main road through the township resembled a river, so, fast was the flood water from the swollen streams coursing down to tlie lake. School children were sent home at 10 o’clock for fear that later they might not be able to get home at all. TO-DAY’S FORECAST. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, This Day. The Government Meteorologist, at noon to-day, issued the following statement regarding the weather: General inference: Pressure is still low over and east of the Dominion, while an anti-cyclone covers most of the Tasman Sea, The forecast for the east coast of the South Island from Blenheim to Oamaru as follows: — Strong southerly winds to gale. Weather cold and squally, with heavy showers and hail in parts, but conditions gradually moderating. Seas rough to high.