FLOODS IN SOUTH CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26399, 18 April 1951, Page 8

FLOODS IN SOUTH CANTERBURY

Main Road Blocked Near Temuka UNUSUAL FALL OF RAIN (From Our Own Reporter) TIMARU, April 17. Extremely heavy rain in the back country of South Canterbury in the last day and a half brought all streams and rivers to flood height early to-day. The Main North road was impassable at Arowhenua just south of Temuka. The Timaru-Mount Cook road was blocked on the Fairlie side of Albury. There was considerable flooding at Saltwater Creek, south of Timaru. The aerodrome was half-flooded, and four light aircraft had to be taken from the field to higher ground on a nearbystreet.

The Orari river, which had given little trouble up to late this afternoon, was reported this evening to be in high flood, and carrying even more water than in the flood early this month.

Water to a depth of about 2jft is lying in a hollow on the south side of the Opihi river bridge at Arowhenua, and the main road has been impassable there since early this morning. Flood waters were menacing the Arowhenua Hotel late this evening. A relief train was sent from Timaru to Temuka about 5 p.m. to-day. It returned to Timaru about 7.30 p.m., bringing some passengers and two cars. Heavy Rain in Back Country

The AroA-henua-Pleasant Point road has been closed all day. There was some flooding near Levels, on the Mount Cook road, earlier to-day, but the water nad receded there by this evening. The most trot blesome spot on the highway was near Tengawai. where about 2Jft of water was lying on the road this morning. The road still carried about two feet of water this evening, but heavy traffic could get through.

At Fairlie there was a fall of 2.53 in of rain in the 34 hours ended at 7 p.m. to-day, but in the back country the fall was much greater. Children were sent home from the Fairlie District High School at 11 a.m. to-day, because of the danger of floods. A school bus was held up by flood waters near Fairlie, and had *.o be towed to higher ground. At Sherwood Downs, beyond Fairlie, three inches of rain fell in the 32 hours up to 5 p m. to-day, and there were heavier falls further back in the hills.

The Opihi is over both ends of the Allandale bridge on the Geraldine road, and there has been flooding at Cricklewood. Big sheets of water covered the road between Fairlie and Burke’s Pass.

An exceptionally heavy fall of rain occurred at Waihao Downs on Monday night. Ninety-five points were recorded up to 9 ajn. to-day The fall at Waimate during the same period was 64 points. It was fortunate that there had not been more serious flooding south of Timaru. said the engineer to the South Canterbury Catchment Board (Mr W. E. Lucy) this evening. The Pareora river was rising again late this evening. and the second peak of the flood was expected in a few hours. So far the road had not been flooded there. The Mount Cook road will probably be open to heavy traffic in the morning. It >s unlikely that the main higffway at Temuka will be open before noon to-morrow.

RIVERS RISING QUICKLY

FLOODING POSSIBLE TO-DAY HEAVY RAIN IN NORTH CANTERBURY Rivers are rising quickly in many parts of Canterbury after heavy rain yesterday and last evening. Serious flooding was not expected in North Canterbury rivers last evening, but many are carrying a big volume of water, and with the heavy rain continuing last evening it is likely there will be flooding to-day. The heaviest falls yesterday were in South Canterbury. where there was considerable flooding, and in coastal regions for a distance up to 80 or 90 miles north of Christchurch. More than two inches of rain were recorded in the hills about Loburn.

From Woodend to Waipara the rain was exceptionally heavy frpm early yesterday morning to late last evening, when it was contii.uing. In places the Main North road was covered with water to a depth of several inches. This was most noticeable near Glasnevin, a few miles north of Amberley, where the water covered the Highway to a depth of nearly a foot for two or three caains. Surface flooding in the fields was not particularly noticeable, but nevertheless a heavy fall was recorded throughout the district. At J 0 clock last evening the rain was falling more heavily than it had been during the day. „™ velle ”- who . have used the Main North road for the last 10 years have never known it to be covered by water to a depth of nine inches to a foot Travellers in two cars, after a strenuous dnve from Nelson, were unwilling to travel the rest of the way to Christchurch after they had arrived at Amberley. because of the heavy rain last evening. One man at Amberley last evening said that in the last 30 years he had never known the Cheviot road from Amberley to be in such a condition. In Christchurch yesterday the rain varied from a light drizzle to heavy, but fairly brief showers. The rain became more intense last evening and at midnight showed no signs of easing. To 3.30 pan. 10 points had been recorded at the Geophysical Observatory, making the total rainfall for the year 18.72 inches, compared with 9.81 inches to the same date last year. A total of 64 points had been recorded at “The Press” for the 24 hours to one o’clock this morning.

Big Demand for Power A strong easterly and later southeasterly wind blew throughout the day and temperatures were cool. The cold temperatures caused a marked increase in the demand for electric power. Consumers were warned during the day that unless they switched off all electric appliances, except those vitally needed, the State hydro-elec-tric system would be overloaded. On Banks Peninsula there was a steady drizzle throughout the afternoon and later in the day heavy showers. No reports of any damage or flooding had been received last evening. There were heavy showers a* Cheviot during the afternoon, about 60 points being recorded. Eighty-two points were recorded at Rangiora to 5 p.m. yesterday. Rain did not start to fall heavily at Kaikoura until last evening. Steady rain fell throughout the Ashburton county yesterday. About 80 points were recorded at the Meteorological Station in the Ashburton Domain from when the rain started—about 930 p.m. on Monday—until 8 pm. yesterday. The weather near the coast round Pendarves was clearer, with light showers falling during the day. At Meth ven. where the oaddocks were drying out on Sunday and Monday after the recent heavy rain more heavy rain fell, 87 points being recorded from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. yesterSeasonal work has been seriously