Heavy Rain In North Otago

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31659, 20 April 1968, Page 1

Heavy Rain In North Otago

(Sew Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, April 19. Rain relentlessly battered North Otago today, leaving paddocks waterlogged and farmers wondering just when it would stop.

, Although no serious inconveniences were reported by fanners in the area, more of this type of rain could lead to widespread stock losses and a threat to winter feed crops. Swollen rivers, piled-up debris from the flood more than a month ago, and the bedraggled look of many farm properties were a constant reminder that the area cannot stand much more rain without disastrous consequences. In the north a five-year drought was broken by the last flood, now the weather is veering towards the other extreme. Roads in several places were blocked, the most serious on State highway No. 1 at Maheno when up to three feet of water from the Kakanui River spilled across the flats. Heavy rain in the Kakanui River catchment —2.96 inches fell in 24 hours—coupled with melting snow, pushed the river to its highest level for a number of years and caused severe surface flooding down the valley.

In Dasher, in Waitaki county, Mr J. D. Kane has recorded 22.06 inches this year. For the whole of last year 19.84 Inches fell. Further south, water was across the road at two points near Hampden. The Herbert State forest recorded 1.86 inches of rain for the 24 hours taking the total for April to 7.06 inches. In March 7.24 inches was recorded in 12 hours. At the Moeraki lighthouse there was 1.75 inches of rain to bring the total for April to 6.64 inches. In the North Otago mid-

lands, round Enfield and Incholme, the areas worst hit by the drought, surface water lay in sheets after falls of 1.40 inches. The water drained quickly and roads were passable in the early afternoon. The Island Stream swept away a temporary bridge, erected a fortnight ago to replace a permanent structure at Maraweka, lost when the Island Stream rose rapidly. In the north of the province the Papakaio plains resembled a lake after 2in of rain at Duntroon, 1.30 in at Papakaio, and 1.12 in at the Oamaru airport Water was across State highway 83 in a number of places and again across State highway No. 1 between Oamaru and Waitaki South. In Oamaru, residents awoke to flooded sections after heavy downpours which reached their peak about 3 ajn.