Sudden Flood Swoops Down

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 142, 18 June 1936, Page 6

Sudden Flood Swoops Down

lanawatu Remains for Hours at 15 Feet Level

BANKS OVERFLOWED IN LOWER AREAS

To witness tho Manawatu river pouring over its banks in tho vicinity of Tiakitahuna and Rangitanc yesterday afternoon seemed quito an anomaly under tlic almost clear blue sky and perfectly calm atmosphere. Yet the dirty torrent that swept down the river testified to the enormous amount of rain that must have fallen iu Southern Hawke’s Bay and the Bush district on Tuesday. The river came up at a fast pace on Tuesday night, reaching 10 feet abovo normal at midnight whereas at b p.m. it was only two feet above summer level. Tho rise continued during the early hours of yesterday morning till 14ft 9iu was being recorded at 9 a.m. and loft, at noon. At 4 p.m. it was still at that level and hopes that the lower areas would escape the deluge, had to be abandoned.

The "Times” reporter who visited the threatened area at Rangitanc yesterday afternoon at 2.30 p.iu. had difficulty in getting his car through the water that covered the main highway to Foxton between Tiakitahuna and Rangitane. This water had come across country from the unbanked portion near McEwen’s lagoon. Hamilton’s lino was likewise covered. Settlers there had removed stock to safety but further down there were still herds and flocks grazing iu. paddocks that would be flooded before many hours had elapsed. Maybe the owners did not realise tho gravity of the situation.

Between the Rangitanc swing bridge and Eangiotu, water was also pouring over the river banks in such volume that at 2.30 p.m. a large acreage was already inundated. Coley’s bend, a danger point in the lower Makerua area, was tho scene ot considerable activity as the river had risen to the level of the stopJmnk where serious erosion took place in fL? previous flood. Here the Makerua JD/aiaago Board’s foreman (Mr P. A). Tucker) hud a gang working hard filling sacks with soil to raise tho bank and so prevent an overflow- which would lead to a serious breach iu tho protection works. The danger at tliis point was very great, only a thin wall of earth holding back almost a sea of swirling water, the river having spread itself in the course uf years of erosion. Fortunately there was no wind to raise I lie w aves that would have crumbled the soft earth away in no time. The flood, however, was con sidcred one of the fastest seen for some time and the water was getting away quickly.

Stop-bank Skppirg’

BREACH AT COLEY’S'BEND

Advice received at 7 o’clock last evening was to the effect that, despite the sand-bagging at Coley’s bend, the bank siio.ved signs of slipping in and it was doubtful whether the water could be prevented from breaking through. Recently the Maksrua Drainage Board, because of the danger at this point, constructed a loop r.nk behind where the erosion Rad taken place, but as it is somewhere about two feet lowe-r than the old bank, unless the river falls rapid .y the water will go over the toil to flood the surrounding farmlands. The potential o anger . is consequently great. The new loop bank was only intended as a tempo.ary protection against medium floods should the old bank he breached, tout not one as high as was oeing experienced yesterday, hue intention had. heen to erect a permanent bank further tack, but there have heen delays brought about by negotiations.