BAD FLOODS

Evening Star, Issue 21193, 29 August 1932, Page 8

BAD FLOODS

WAIRARAPA AHD WELLII (TOSI DISTRICTS

RAPID THAW FOLLOWED BY SNO ROADS AND BRIDGES IMPASSABLE STCSK IN SERIOUS PLIGHT [Per United Press Association.] CARTERTON, August 29. The worst flood since 1824 is bein,— experienced in the Wairarapa. Ram commenced falling at about 3 o’clock on Sunday morning, with first a warm westerly, which rapidly melted the heavy snow lying on the hills, then changing to a cold southerly, which brought in its wake further heavy falls of snow. All the hills, right down to low levels, are again heavily coated. Eighteen inches of snow on the Rimutaka road, and a landslide on Wellington side, hold the traffic up. The rivers round Carterton rapidly filled and overflowed the stop banks. The Grey town side of the Waiohine River also swamped the roadside, which gave way, inundating the whole countryside,The main road south is covered to an extraordinary depth, completely blocking motor traffic. Two heavy trees were washed across the road, but were hauled off by county men this mornAhinruhe settlers are completely flooded, and no milking was possible on account of the flood waters entering the bails. Heavy snow was also experienced, and the ground not covered by the flood is coated to a depth of four inches. All feed is covered, and stock are wandering along the road seeking fodder. One settler lost two cows in the flood. . . - Two other houses have twelve inches of water in them. Considerable damage was done to many bridge approaches. The roadside between Black Bridge .and Greytown was gouged out four or five feet, adding further to the danger of travellers. The Greytown high-pressure water supply was completely cut off through damage at,-the headworks, and till the water races were turned into the mains the town Was without water. Rain is still falling, and though the Waiohine River has fallen, on the other hand, the Ruamahunga River is reported to be still rising; and the outlook is not bright, . The rainfall so far is 4.8 m.

LOSS OF STOCK

PAHIATUA, August 29. Three inches of rain in twenty-four hours have caused heavy floods, and several districts are under water, particularly Konini, where the. , factory, and also the manager’s residence and the hall were flooded. There has been considerable loss of stock. The town approach to the borough bridge on the road to the station was washed away, one pier sagging, and the road is closed till a temporary span bridges the gap, and the pier is reinforced. The new bridge is not likely to be completed for several months.

manawatu BANK-HIGH

PALMERSTON NORTH, August 29. Flooding of the low-lymg areas of Manawatu district is considered imminent. Following heavy week-end rain in Manawatu, Hawke’s Bay, and Wairaropa, the Manawatu River rose with remarkable rapidity during the stock to the higher levels. Only one night. Settlers are removing their stock to higher levels. Only one loss of stock is so far reported. The rainfall for the twenty-four hours ended at 9 this morning was 1.36 m. The river is now bank high at most places, and much damage and loss ot stock is feared if it continues to rise.

HUTT RIVER IN FLOOD

WELLINGTON, August 28. The heavy rain caused a flood in tho Hutt River, and the water is across the road at the Silverstream bridge and in the Taita Gorge. The Manor Park golf course is under water. No losses are reported.

WELLINGTON'S HEAVY RAINFALL

WELLINGTON, August 29. Wellington’s rainfall for the twentyfour hours to 9 a.m. was 348 points, the heaviest since April, 1929. The big slip in the Rimutakas will take till Wednesday morning to clear, blips fell at Paekakariki also, but the road is passable, though not very safe. The Hutt River rose 9ft, but receded during the night. There is no serious damage in the city.