BIG AREA AFFECTED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 49, 27 February 1945, Page 6

BIG AREA AFFECTED

FARMS WHOLLY SUBMERGED P.A. DUNEDIN, This Day. Thousands of acres of farm lands between Stirling, Kaitangata, and Lovell's Flat are already inundated by the flood waters, which, are still pouring through«the break in the bank of the Molyneux River. It is estimated that one-quarter of the volume of the flooded Molyneux is going through the gap in the bank and spreading out over rich farm lands, increasing the damage every hour. There is n6 sign of the flood abating. .

The low-lying areas of the Kaitangata township have been evacuated, and the flood waters as they expand are seeping into more farm houses and ruining an increasing area of land. The flood waters are pouring through a gap two chains wide, and it is estimated that between 20,000 and 30,000 acres have already been covered in the area bounded by Stirling, Kaitangata, Lovell's Flat, Benhar, and the foot of the Romahapa hills. The whole plain has the appearance of an inland sea, broken only by islands of tree tops, hedges, arid fences.

No serious stock losses have been reported, but the loss of crops and winter feed is incalculable.

* The farmers in all the districts affected by the flooding have suffered irreparable loss. Their herds and other stock are scattered all around the surrounding district, and their winter feed lies rotting five feet under water. All that can be seen of one 150-acre farm are the tops of fences and the homestead. There will undoubtedly be a "starvation winter" on many farms.

Grave danger involves the Kaitangata dairy factory at the outlet from Kaitangata Lake. Volunteer workers have built facings of tree branches to prevent scouring. As the water rises it tends to find outlets through the lower ground, and walls are being built with sandbags to prevent'it cutting new paths. If a breakthrough occurred, the water would probably scour under the factory and wash away the last bridge giving access to the town.

There is intense activity at the spot where the river originally breached the stopbanks to gain access to the low country, but in spite of all efforts the flow of water through it is four times what can get away at the outlet flood gates at Kaitangata.