HEAVY RAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 99, 29 April 1938, Page 8

HEAVY RAIN.

IN CITY AND SUBURES. M.WY POWER FAIU'ItKS. Though of fairly short duration, a torrential rainstorm which was experienced in the city shortly after ."> o'clock last evening, turned streets and gutters into miniature lakes and rivers. The water, however, was able to drain away without doing ;ln y damage or entering buildings. The downpour, which was of tropical intensity, followed a day that had been overcast and threatening, with occasional shower*. Similar heavy talis were experienced in the suburbs' a , lout half an hour before the downpour stn.rk the city. Shoppers, caught unawares. hurriedly sought shelter under adjacent verandah*, and trams, which were aide to run to time, did big business.

The barometer dropped 40 points between mid-day and 4 p.m., wh.'ii it registered 20.51 in. For the 21 hours ended at midnight a total of ..".itiii of rain registered.

Otahuhu experienced an interruption in the electric supply as (ho ivsult of a short circuit on an 11, GOO-volt line, thought to have been Rinsed \v the heavy rain. Flame was seen to plav along the high-tension line for about 20 seconds. A portion of the cable on this section of the line, which was on the Great SoutJi Road, near the monument triangle, was bun:t out i.nd power was out off in the locality for half an hour from about 7 p.m. Electric light failed at Papnkura at 5 p.m.. and was oft' until 9.1.1 p.m.. a further failure for a short period being recorded at 10 p.m. In parts of rewa the power was off until 11.30 p.m.