All Routes To Coast Blocked

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26123, 27 May 1950, Page 6

All Routes To Coast Blocked

APPROACH TO RAKAIA RAIL BRIDGE WASHED OUT Torrential rains in the Southern Alps and subsequent flooding have virtually isolated the West Coast from the rest of New Zealand, the only link late last night being by the emergency radio unit of the Post and Telegraph Department. All telephone and telegraph communication is broken. The Arthurs Pass and Lewis Pass road links are blocked and the Buller Gorge is also reported to be impassable. The Midland railway line has been damaged in many places, particularly by slips at Otira and distortion of a bridge near Cass. No through trains are running. Early yesterday afternoon reports were received of widespread damage on the West Coast; but the interruption of all forms of communication delayed messages. Canterbury and the South Island, as a whole, are benefiting from the continuing rain in the high country, as lakes levels are rising and improving the hydro-electric power position. Rivers on the plains, how’ever, have risen in high flood. With the northern approach to the Rakaia railway bridge washed out last evening, the night express to Dunedin and a special train were cancelled. They were to carry many Rugby football enthusiasts to the test match against the British team. It is not yet known whether normal trains will run south today.

The Waimakariri river made the sharpest rise, 12.3 feet, ever recorded at the Gorge bridge, after 11| inches of rain at Arthurs Pass in about 16 hours. Flood waters were expected to reach their peak at the Main North road bridge about 3 a.m. to-day. Warnings have been issued but serious danger is not expected because of the previous low flow in the river.