SOUTH ROAD FLOODED

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26205, 31 August 1950, Page 6

SOUTH ROAD FLOODED

Cloudburst Near Waimate FARMING AREAS UNDER WATER Front Our Own Reporter ' TIMARU, August 30. Flood waters covered the Main South road for a distance df about four miles between Pareora and St Andrews this afternoon and evening, after a cloudburst and heavy rain» in the hill country in the Waimate area. Lambing losses were reported in the Otaio, Pareora, and St Andrews districts, where considerable areas of farm lands are under water. Most roads between Waimate and Timaru were impassable this evening because of flooding. The flood waters rose to within a few feet of the railway track bn the main line near St. Andrews. The flooding in the area was reported to be the heaviest since the flood of 1945. On the South road the water lay at Intervals to a depth of about two feet. Many cars were held up, but a number were transported through the flooding on the decks of lorries, and a number of lorries and a tractor were engaged to tow cars through the floods. The Main South road between Camsru and St. Andrews was reported unsafe by the Automobile Association (South Canterbury) this evening, but one big chr was reported to have got through. All trains were piloted through the flooded area at reduced speed during the evening. The Invercargill-Christ-church express train arrived in Christchurch at 7.55 p.m., about half an hour late. It lost about 10 minutes negotiating the flooded area, and was also delayed for some time at Ashburton with engine trouble. A goods train which left Timaru at 5 p.m. for Dunedin, and one which left Oamaru at 4 p.m. for Christchurch, were also delayed by the floods. Sheep Rescued Farmers at Otaio had to wade through water up to their waists to save sheep and lambs surrounded by rising floods. A number of six-weeks-old lambs were in water up to their noses when rescued. Four inches of enow had fallen early this morning before the cloudburst in the Hunters Hill area at the back of Waimate, and 1.52 inches of rain fell between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Four inches of rain fell at Bluecliffs and 1.61 inches at Claremont. About eight inches of snow fell between Kurow and Omarama. Light falls of snow at Fairlie, Burke’s Pass, and in the Tekapo area were later washed away. Approximately half ah inch of rain fell at Timaru up to 11 o’clock this evening, when the rain Was still falling heavily. Particularly heavy rain began some time after midnight at Waimate, and more than one and a half inches had been recorded by 5 p.m. Heavy showers continued during the evening. At Douglas, Waihao Downs. 1.1 inches had fallen by 9 a.m. and there were heavy showers throughout the day.

Rivers Rise Rapidly Thd Otaio, Pareora, Makikihi and Waihao rivers, all with watersheds in the Hunters Hill area, rose rapidly during the afternoon. A 5 p.m. a vigorous stream across the Main South road threatened to scour out the approach to the bridge over the northern branch of the Makikihi river. The water was then a foot deep across the road and it appeared that the bridge was likely to be cut off by the morning. There was a depth of two feet of water between the two bridges at the Waihao crossing on the main highway near Morven early this evening and only big cars and buses weragable to negotiate the ford. The BailejFbridge carried traffic over the nbrthr'branch of the river. With the Waihao river mouth blocked by a shingle bar and a heavy sea running there is a possibility that the river may bank up along the dead arm back to Lake Wainono and cause some flooding on farm lands. There is a considerable amount of surface water in this area.

Heavy south-west fain began to fall throughout the Ashburton County, particularly near the coast, about 4 a.m. yesterday. At the Meteorological Station in the Ashburton Domain 38 points were recorded up to 9 a.m. In the Pendarves area, nearer the coast, 51 points had fallen by 9 a.m. and a further 29 points before 11.30 a.m. There was very little rain in the Methven district although the weather had been dull and ovefcast for most of the day. Only slight losses in lambs were reported. HEAVY RAIN IN CHRISTCHURCH 1.18 INCHES DURING DAY Heavy rain fell continuously for nearly three hours in Christchurch last evening. A slight drizzle early in the evening developed about 7.20 o’clock into a steady downpour, which did not abate until after 10 p.m. Although it eased off shortly after 10 o’clock, the rain Continued to fall steadily, and at midnight it showed no sign of ceasing. A total of 1.18 inches of rain was recorded in Christchurch during the 24 hours ended at midnight. Rain began to fall before 4 o’clock in the morning, when there was . a light drizzle. The rain Continued during the- morning, becoming heavier between 7 and 8 a.m., but it eased off after 10 o’clock. Up to 9 a.m., .21 inches of rain had been recorded at the Meteorological Office at the R.N.Z.A.F. station, Wigram. The weather was fine but overcast during the afternoon. There were heavy demands on the taxi services in Christchurch throughout the evening. Theatregoers- were caught in the showers before 8 p.m. Gutters were soon overflowing after the heavy rain set in, but there were no reports of street flooding during the evening. Heavy rain from the north-east fell at Akaroa from an early hour yesterday until midday. It recommenced at 5 p.m., and by 6 p.m. two and a half inches had fallen during the day. Lambing has begun in parts of the Peninsula, and losses have been reported.