THAW AND HEAVY RAINS

Evening Star, Issue 25925, 17 October 1946, Page 6

THAW AND HEAVY RAINS

Sharp Rise in River Levels

Flood Warnings at Balclutha

Roads to Wanaka Impassable

Fed by melting snow in the high country of Central Otago, and by incessant rain in the hinterland of the province, creeks and rivers are running in full flood, and spilling into the deep Kawarau and. Molyneux Rivers to cut roads and threaten some areas with flooding. So far no serious damage has been reported, but the unusually high level of the Molyneux at Alexandra, where the river has risen by 22ft since Monday, is causing concern to Balclutha residents,, where flood warnings have been issued.

Wanaka was isolated this morning, the roads linking it to Cromwell and Queenstown being cut by overflowing * creeks and slips. Low-lying orchards and farms in the Earnscleugh settlement were inundated by flood waters yesterday, but the rate of inflow dropped oVer night, and the waters were reported to be quite still to-day. ‘ The' bridge over the Dunstan Creek has suffered structural damage from the swirling water and debris, and is closed to traffic.

Rain was still falling in the high country at noon today, but had stopped at Alexandra and Roxburgh.