Heavy Rains Cause Flooding in Parts of South Island

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6789, 22 February 1932, Page 7

Heavy Rains Cause Flooding in Parts of South Island

Road and Rail Communication Disorganised

Manawatu District Swept By Torrential Downpour

Fairly general rains have been experienced throughout the Dominion during the week-end while in some cases phenomenal falls arc reported. In the South Island South Canterbury and Otago have fared the worst, many bridges having been damaged or swept away, numerous roads being under water and rendered impassable, while train and road traffic has been disorganised in many localities. In parts stock is declared to have been lost, the result of extraordinarily heavy downpours.

Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu have apparently received the only torrential downpours in the North Island, rivers overflowing their banks in the former district.

Following a lengthy dry spell in the Manawatu heavy rain fell during the week-end, filling a much-needed want both in the city and the rural community. Between 9 o ’clock on Saturday and 5 a.m. Sunday when a continuous downpour was experienced a fall of 2.40 inches was recorded by Mr. T. R. Moore, of Terrace End, the Oroua and Manawatu rivers rising rapidly. The type of rain which fell brought immediate relief to very dry pastures and will assist considerably in repairing the extensive damage done by the heat and dry atmosphere of past weeks.

Drought Definitely Broken. Signs of tho breaking of the drought were first in evidence on Thursday evening when a heavy downpour lasting only for a brief period was followed by a light rain throughout the district lasting virtually all night. Blue skies appeared on Friday but tho close of the day again brought light falls which, although not really appreciable, had a freshening effect on the parched lands. At 9 o’clock on Saturday morning only six points of rain had been recorded for the preceding 24 hours, bringing the monthly total to 37 points, or much less than half an inch. Light showers throughout the day again increased the prospects of further rains and, by 7 p.m. tho sky was leaden. Thon camo the first light showers prior to several heavy downpours. By 10 o'clock the weather had definitely taken a turn for the worse —or better —and shoppers returning home late, together with theatre crowds, had to face a driving rain that sent everyone for shelter. Many a citizen, attired in summer clothing, was drenched, crowds wore to be seen under verandahs and taking protection in shop doorways, while many cars parked on the open stands refused to function after the first deluge. By 11 o’clock the rain let up temporarily but half an hour later set in with a torrential downpour which continued without cessation practically all night. Pools of water quickly developed into miniature lakes, water channels proved inadequate and kerbs and footways wore soon covered. At 5 o’clock on Sunday morning the fall let up somewhat but steady rain continued in showers all day. River Rises Rapidly. With the automatic gauge only one foot above summer level when the rain oil Saturday evening commenced the Manawatu river soon revealed a steady rise as shown by the following table: — Saturday—ft. in. 12 noon I 9 p.m.- J 10 p.m i 3 Midnight 2 Sunday—--3 a.m •> 4 a.m " 9 5 a.m 3 (>• 6 a.m 4 7 a.m 6 J Noon % 3 p.m 9 9 7 p.m 9 6 Midnight 9 By 7 o’clock last evening, as will be noticed, the river was beginning to| show signs of falling and was at 9ft. 6ins. Roaring like a torrent, however, it had previously been running very nearly to the tops of the bank in places and the tremendous volume of water in the lower reaches of the river where it usually gives trouble under such con ditions. The amount of logs being carried downstream was most noticeable.

At midnight tho weather was still threatening although no rain was falling. Cold temperatures prevailed.