WEATHER PROSPECTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21934, 18 October 1934, Page 11

WEATHER PROSPECTS

DISCOURAGING REPORTS INDIA TO DARWIN AREA TERRIFIC TROPICAL STORMS AERODROMES WATERLOGGED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright SINGAPORE, Oct. 16 Terrific downpours of tropical rain have occurred throughout the Malay Peninsula and over the Bay of Bongal. The weather prospects for the Allaha-bad-Singapore-Darwin stages of the Centenary air race are most discouraging. If the storms do not abate the competitors will have a perilous crossing of Bengal Bay with waterlogged aerodromes to welcome them after a sea crossing of more than 1700 miles. Several of the aerodromes along the route are under water. Local pilots tell stories of rain storms which have beaten them down to within 50 feet of the sea and have done severe damage to machines. Local flying, in fact, is practically at a standstill. The Singapore aerodrome is in good condition, but if the rain continues race pilots will not be able to take-off in the heavy going with enough fuel to make the 2000 miles flight to Darwin non-stop. This will necessitate refuelling at Java, where heavy rains are also reported to have fallen. The Singapore committee and authorities consider the Bay of Bengal section the most hazardous in the race, even in good weather, because for almost 2000 miles there is only water or jungle, and in the present weather conditions the stage is beset with incalculable perils.