Heavy Flooding in the South

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 43, 21 February 1936, Page 6

Heavy Flooding in the South

Second Visitation In Fortnight WHEAT CROPS -MAY SUFFER DAMAGE Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. Another heavy rainstorm, the second within a fortnight, swept Christchurch, Banks Peninsula and the CanterburyPlains last night and to-day. The rainfall has varied greatly in intensity in different areas. In Christchurch since 4.30 yesterday afternoon the fall has been about three inches, but in Akaroa more than 9 inches fell. In 40 hours the total fall at Akaroa was 40 inches. All rain-fed rivers arc in heavy flood and the Waimakariri, not usually affected by a south-west rain, is in heavy flood. The most serious damage which will bo caused by the rain will be to the uugarnered wheat. A great deal of wheat is still out in stook and there is fear that, much of the grain may sprout while more-of it which may escape this risk will be discoloured by long exposure to the rain. It is impossible to estimate the total extent of this damage because the trouble has already developed in a few districts, but much more serious trouble will follow this storm. Much depends on the w.eathcr in the next few days. On Banks Peninsula damage estimated at £3OOO was done to the cocksfoot crop. A few sheep were drowned through the flooding of creeks at Wainui on Akaroa Harbour. The town of Akaroa was flooded in parts by creeks rising. The north end cf the town suffered most severely. The main street and recreation ground were nearly two feet under water, and some families had to leave their homes. The roads in valleys were deeply scoured and many slips fell on practically every road in the district. The storm in the city and suburbs was the worst for several years. The Avon overflowed its banks in the Avonside district and in the low-lying parts of the suburbs whero the storm-water drainage was inadequate to cope with the unprecedented run-off the roads were awash. Tho Avonside drive was covered by two feet of water for several chains and residents were unable to leave their houses. Surface flooding occurred at St. Albans, where some residents had to wade through water nearly knee-deep to lcqve their their homes. No houses were flooded. Flooded creeks, slips and washouts disorganised the transport services throughout Canterbury. Some trains wero delayed, and others had to be cancelled and service cars were unable to get to their destinations. The railway between Rotherham and Waiau was washed out and trains could not pass. The passengers were taken on bj motor. Washouts occurred near Mina and Tomorc on tho Cheviot line, at Stair case on the West Coast line. J slip stopped all trains and the passend ers had to pass on foot for 100 yards At Sefton minor damage occurred an no trains will run north of Raugioij to-morrow. The Southbridge line wil blocked by four washouts near Ellej mere, but the trains may be able to ru to-day. Road transport was blocked in mar districts. Cheviot is isolated and ti residents cannot go more than the miles in any direction. The Hurum river is flowing level with the bride decking and it is feared th bridge nr be damaged. Service cars for Kaikoura were lid up at Deep Creek and no mails r passengers went north of that point)day. Lees Valley road is blocked y slips and the north approach to ie bridge on tho Ashley Gorge road i? been washed away .by the flood. Fifty Relief Men in Per MAROONED BY FLOOD WATES. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Nighti Fifty relief workers in a can near the Ashley bridge on p Main North road were surrounp by flood waters on an island Ptween the Ashley river and at Water creek. Their plight is h of considerable danger as therps a possibility of the stop-bank lying way and releasing a Jury volume of the flood waters. Efforts were made to-nighjto reach them fi • ; with a horsepd dray and then with boats, b’ it was impossible to approach with the dray and boats couldiot bo transported to the spot tier from the north or south owii to the floods having made the fids bridges or streams unpassab; Efforts to reach the men an ontinuing. If the stopbank hoi, it is unlikely that the flood vters surrounding them will rise uch more and the men will be ife, but if the stopbank goes the will be in grave danger of being rerwhelmed and their whole imp swept away. The rain has now eased a as the flooding is from ra fed streams the waters 'will soonubside. Heavy Losses Feared Canterbury TIMARU, Last Hit. Up till U late hour to-nigt there were prospects ct • heavy iding throughout South Canterbury, Light raiu fell throughout the day, b early this evening there was a temtial downpour, upwards of two inch) being recorded in some parts in threpours. The rivers and creeks were alljnning high and unless the rain oeaa there will probably be heavy floodso-mor-row. j A good many farmers havejot yet threshed their wheat and oat <jps and heavy losses arc likely. Mp paddocks arc almost submerged id the quantity of surface water out is greater than at any period ii ie past seven or eight years.