South Canterbury Rivers Running High

Northern Advocate, 9 May 1940, Page 7

South Canterbury Rivers Running High

[Per Press Association. Copyright.'] TIMARU, This Day. As the result of steady rain for the past four days, .all rivers in South Canterbury are in high, flood, large areas are inundated, and much damage has been done to root crops. The Orari River burst it banks in several places between Temuka and the coast and four families had to be evacuated. In. the opinion of one settler the water had not been higher in the past 40 years. The Geraldine-Fairlie highway is blocked as the result of the washing away, of the Skipton Bridge, and considerable damage is reported in other parts of the Geraldine county. The main south road is blocked owing to the washing away of. the north approach of the Waihao bridge. There are two detours and both of these are blocked. Peak Past In Ashburton. Three days’ heavy rain flooded rivers in the Ashburton county, but the peak of the rise has now passed. The approach to the bridge on the main south road at Hinds was washed away, the alternative highway also being under water. Traffic is making a long detour to the- coast. A great extent of farm land is flooded. Embankment Breaks. Shortly after midnight a serious break occurred in the Taieri River embankment near Annanton, 15 miles from Dunedin. Settlers in the area were notified by radio that the break might prove serious and were advised to take adequate steps to vacate their premises. Although the effect of the break could not be gauged, it was suggested that Mosgiel, 10 miles from Dunedin, might be seriously threatened.