SERIOUS FLOODS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 15 January 1936, Page 2

SERIOUS FLOODS

RIVERS OVERFLOW IN OPOTIKI DISTRICT (By Telegraph—Press Association) GISBORNE, 14th January. . Heavy rain fell all last night and today in the Opotiki district, and several rivers overflowed their banks. This evening the Waiotahi river on the Opo-tiki-Whakatane road was in flood, six feet of water being reported on the road, and passengers from the Taneatua express were unable to reach Opotiki. On the other side of Opotiki the (Waia-: wa river at the junction of the Coast and Motu roads had risen 10 feet, and no cars can reach Motu or Tekaha. Slips are also reported on the Meremere road between Opotiki and Motu.' The only other exit from Opotiki is by the Waioeka road* the main road to Gisborne. A service car left Opotiki at 7.45 tonight for Gisborne and returned at 9 o’clock, reporting the road blocked by a slip extending for two chains in the Waioeka Gorge. Heavy damage was done to several maize crops in the Opotiki district. Only light rain fell in Gisborne to-day. around~kaitaia WHANGAEEI, This Day. Water lapped round the shops but did not enter, thus alleviating the anixety of business men. The greatest loss at Kaitaia was the collapse of a portion of the Croquet Club’s property. An area sixty feet long and six feet deep slipped, damaging probably beyond repair the club’s best green. Traffic was held up near Kaitaia at Kawakawa where the flats are under water, and at Taheke, on the KaikoheRawene route.

Extraordinary flooding occurred in the far north yesterday. Rivers drainage cuts were unable to cope with the water, which rose very rapidly. Large areas of land adjacent to Kaitaia were converted into a lake covering hundreds of acres. A few fences were washed away, but no stock losses are reported. On some properties milking was impossible last night and stock had to be moved to* higher land. Kaitaia’s, main street was covered by four feet of water. These routes were clear to-day. Several slips occurred on other routes.

Clearing work commenced immediately with bullock teams and access was shortly restored.

No serious damage is reported. The rainfall in forty-eight hours was 4.53 in, making 8.89 in for the month. The average for January is 3.57 in.