THUNDERSTORM AND RAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19407, 17 February 1925, Page 8

THUNDERSTORM AND RAIN

A TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR. STREETS AND CELLARS FLOODED. There was a decided change in tho climatic conditions in Dunedin last evening, when the city and suburbs was deluged by a torrential downpour pf ram. The weather was threatening during tho day, the sky being dark with ominous clouds and a few light showers ot rain foil. Towards sunset, however tho heavens cleared somewhat, tho sun shining fitfully just before disappearing m the west. When darkness set in banks of heavy ram clouds again appeared from tho northeast, and at 9 p.m. steady rain commenced to fall. A quarter of an hour later the fall had Increased in volume, accompanied by loud peals of thunder and vivid flashes of lightning. At 9.30 the city and suburbs were deluged with one of the heaviest downpOurs experienced for several months past. Tho fall was particularly heavy when travellers were leaving the railway station from the second express from the north. Many of them possessed overcoats and umbrellas, and waded through sheets of water to trnmears and taxis, while others who were less fortunate waited under shelter until thq rain had eased off. As usual, a score or so of taxis were m ™ al ’ > ing outside tho station, and all of them quickly secured fares. The taxis on the various ranks also did good business while tho downpour lasted. , After such a long spell of dry weather tho various street channels and inlets to the sewers wore not prepared for such a sudden visitation from tho heavens, and m the low-lying parts ot tho city large pools of water were quickly formed. . The inlets appeared to bo completely inadequate to cope with tho water which swept down the street channels. In loss than a quarter of an hour a miniature lake was formed at the corner of High and Gaol streets, and unwary pedestrians waded over their boot tops through the storm water. Mima, ture lakes also quickly formed outside Mesrs Todd Hfos, garage and other parts of Lower High street. Large pools banked up rapidly iu St, Andrew and other streets in that vicinity, the water extending in places right across St. Andrew and Cumberland streets. The water rushed across the footpath and flooded tho cellar of the Victoria Hotel to a depth of about 4ft, and had tho full continued for any length of time the first floor of the hotel would probably have been inundated. An anxious time was spent by many business people and residents in the lowlying area when the fall was at its heaviest. One hotelkeeper said that it was tho fourth time his collar had been flooded within the past 18 months, Tho heavy ruin carried a largo accumulation of silt along the tram rails, and this caused a disorganisation of tho, service to tho north end of tho city through car 62 leaving the lines. Tho mishap occurred at 9.30, and tho whole service was delayed for about nn hour. Tho car was bound for Normanby. A gang from the tramway depot was quickly on tho scene, and the car was replaced on tho rails shortly before 11. Tho tramway officials maintained an intermittent service by running tho cars on tho one sot of rails. The rain ceased shortly after 10, and the thunder, with its accompanying lightning flashes having passed on, tho sky again became clear. RAIN IN CENTRAL OTAGO. (From Our Own Correspondents.) ROXBURGH. February 16. A much appreciated change in the weather occurred last oyoning when, after a scorching hot day, rain set in. Not a great deal fell during tho night, but this morning it is raining steady, with every indication of keeping up, and it looks as if tho dry spell has boon definitely broken. It has been tho driest experienced here for many years, and but for the irrigation at Roxburgh East the settlors there would hove had a serious time. Tho supply at Lake Onslow, despite tho drought, has boon excellent, and tho water is only a foot below the top of the wall. CROMWELL, February 16. There has been a splendid rainfall inland, sufficient to relievo the anxiety of pnstoralists. When it sot in about 7 p.m. on Sunday the fall was mild, and this continued all night. It was particularly heavy this morning from 8 o’clock to midday, but it cleared again in tho afternoon. LAWRENCE, February 16. After a long spell of dry weather and two excessively hot and oppressive days, rain began to fall hero on Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock, and has continued praeticilly without intermission. The rain being warm will do an immense amount of good to the country. Harvesting will bo delayed, but this should not bo looked upon with disfavour as long as the other phases of fanning arc getting a help along.