BLIZZARD IN ALPS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27404, 17 July 1954, Page 6

BLIZZARD IN ALPS

Heavy Snow Delays Rail-Car OTIRA GORGE ROAD CLOSED A blizzard struck the Southern Alps yesterday and disrupted almost all means of communication between the West Coast and Canterbury. Snow, high winds, and torrential rain tore power and telephone lines from poles; the Otira Gorge has been closed, and, though still open, the Lewis Pass route should not be used by motorists without chains. Last evening’s rail-car (two units) from Greymouth had not arrived in Christchurch at 2 o’clock this morning. It struck heavy snow at Arthur’s Pass and had to be hauled by steam locomotive from there to Springfield. It was dragged through snow in places 2ft 6in deep. Several freight train services were cancelled yesterday. The early-morning rail-car left Christchurch at the usual time today. The steam engine, dragging the two units from Greymouth, cleared the line on its run to Springfield; and no fresh falls in the mountains had been reported by the Railways Department. Some Airways Flights Cancelled Several late flights in and out of Christchurch airport had to be cancelled by the National Airways Corporation yesterday. Visibility at Harewood was satisfactory until quite late in the afternoon, but the cloud base then became too low. The last two flights into Christchurch (both from Auckland and Wellington) were cancelled. The last aircraft flying south to Dunedin had to stop at Hilderthorpe airport, near Oamaru. The last flight out of Christchurch, a trip from Dunedin to Wellington which was to have been made by the aircraft stranded at Hilderthorpe, was also cancelled. No north-bound flights were made from the Westport airport during the day. Snow fell on the Ball Hut road behind the Hermitage at Mount Cook yesterday, and at the Hermitage itself. The snow did not extend far down the road, but there was a good deal of rain. Steady Rain in Christchurch The weather report for Christchurch yesterday sounded very much like that for last week-end—probably the coldest the city has experienced this year. There was rain but no sleet and the temperature did not drop to a polar region level as it did last Friday. Rain started to fall at 4 a.m., and by midnight 1.24 in had been recorded at the Meteorological Station, Harewood. Seven points fell before 6 a.m., 29 between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., and 18 between 9 a.m. and noon. Thirty-eight points were registered between noon and 6 p.m., and a further 32 up to midnight. For most of the day it was a steady drizzle, with a light wind, first from the north-east and then from the south. But early last evening the rain became heavier. Many late-night shoppers were caught and drenched in the city last night. Only seconds were needed in the open for an overcoat to feel like a wet, heavy sack. Christchurch is usually extremely busy on Friday evenings, but last night cars, bicycles, and shoppers and film goers were not so numerous. No sunshine was recorded at Harewood during the day, and the maximum temperature was only 44.8 degrees. The maximum last Friday was 39.5 degrees.

HIGH WINDS ON WEST COAST MINOR DAMAGE REPORTED (From Our Own Reporter) GREYMOUTH, July 16. The West Coast today was lashed with winds of near gale force from the north-east, and reports of trees being blown down and fences and sheds being damaged have been received. Greymouth power stations were not capable of meeting the heavy demand and all districts were without power at some time during the day. Three State coal mines—Wallsend, Dobson, and Blackball—were closed at 10.30 a.m., the men returning home when the fans stopped. The Grey river was running high tonight, though it is thought that it will not rise to a dangerous level. Heavy rain in the mountains has caused streams to swell considerably. Heavy rain fell at Greymouth during the day, but by this evening it had eased to a drizzle. Many sporting fixtures are likely to be cancelled tomorrow.