NORTH ISLAND FLOODS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21910, 23 March 1933, Page 8

NORTH ISLAND FLOODS

I RAPID RISE OF RIVERS TRAIN TRAFFIC DISORGANISED LIMITED EXPRESS DERAILED TAUMARUNUI PARTLY INUNDATED SEVERAL NARROW ESCAPES (Per United Press Association.) TAUMARUNUI, March 22. A terrific downpour of rain between 8 o’clock and midnight last night caused widespread damage in the Tauniarunui district and the most serious dislocation of services in the history of the Main Trunk line. The Limited Express, from Auckland, was derailed a mile north of Okahukura shortly before midnight. The train was carrying 120 passengers, who miraculously escaped injury. The Limited passed over the subsidence, and about 40ft of rail shot into the air behind the train. The small wheels of the engine were buried in the earth, and the front bogey of the following carriage went off the rails, as also did the van at the rear of the train. Though the coupling broke, the other carriages remained on the line, and the lighting system was unaffected. The passengers remained on the train overnight. A relief train went out from Taumarunui early this morning, and they arrived here between 8 and 9 o’clock, j • The slip, which is one mile north of Taringamotu, also impeded the progress of a goods train, which had to he hauled back to Taumarunui, the line meanwhile being cleared by. gangs for the relief trains to go through to the passengers on the Limited. Every available man was despatched to the scene immediately, and a crane was sent from Prankton. It will be some time before the line is clear, and meanwhile a service is being maintained from Frankton to Ongarue. The train from Stratford, arriving at Taumarunui at midnight, was delayed by several slips on the line between Ohura and Matiere, and the service has been closed down meanwhile.

The express train from Wellington, ■which reaches Taumarunui at 0.30 a.m., ran into a slip near Oio. 'The engine buried its nose in mud, but there was no derailment. Subsequently the line was cleared, and the train proceeded to Owhango, where it was held up by further slips and washouts between Owhango and Taumarunui, Ten slips are reported between Owhango and Kakahi, and the line has been scoured for some distance between Manunui and Taumarunui, The Limited from Wellington was held at Ohakune. The heavy, warm rains which fell for five hours in the National Park area yesterday brought the snow down the rivers, and this, together with last night’s heavy local downpour, caused the Wanganui River to overflow its banks at midnight. The hydro-electric works at Piriaka were flooded, and the light failed. At 1 o'clock this morning the plant was still out of action. TAUMARUNUI FLOODED The river swefit over the groynes between Matapuna bridge and Taumarunui, the maip road between Taumarunui saleyards and Matapuna bridge being under water. The stream swept on in a raging torrent, and the area known at the Flat was completely inundated. The recreation ground nearby was soon a sea of water. The mayor (Mr C. A. Boles) realising the danger, organised rescue parties, headed by the fire brigade and police, and practically every house on the Flat and at Matapuna was evacuated. The water was almost waist deep in some of the streets on the Flat, and also in the houses. The failure of the electric light made the rescue work difficult. The current was so strong that many women, most of whom were in sleeping attire, had to be assisted by the rescuers. The water seemed to rise in a few minutes, with the result that no' one could save his or her belongings. Many, unaware , of danger, were awakened by the rescuers, to find their beds surrounded t by water. One rescuer found a boy floundering in deep water, and saved him from drowning. Tn another instance, the rescuer himself disappeared in a deep washout on the Flat, and had to swim cut. The people of Taumarunui rose to the occasion, and dozens of ears arrived on the scene in the early hours of the morning to take the rescued to warm beds. STOCK LOSSES REPORTED Following yesterday’s stock sale, large numbers of cattle and sheep were accommodated in the stock paddocks near the saleyards. Of these 120 sheep weie drowned, and some cattle are missing. At daybreak cattle were seen swimming down the Wanganui River. The flood reached its highest point at S a.m., and thereafter subsided. Very little rain .fell after midnight, and the weather is now fine. In the outlying districts, much damage is reported. Many bridges are down, and there are slips and washouts all over the country. The main highway north is blocked by a large washout a mile from Taumarunui, and there is another washout south near the powerhouse at Piriaka. DAMAGE TO ROADS AND BRIDGES Some concern was felt for a handful of residents on Winter’s Island, which is at the confluence of the Wanganui River. When dawn broke the island eeemed to be covered by water, only the housetops and troetops showing. How- ■ ever, as the water subsided smoke was seen issuing from the chimneys, so it is (presumed that all is well. There is no means of communicating with them mntil the waters subside further.

A girl reported at 7 o’clock this morning having seen the body of a boy in short trousers floating beneath the railway bridge at Matapuna. So far there is no word of any boy missing. Much damage is reported from Manunui, where the lawn tennis courts and football ground arc inundated. The railway line is damaged and there arc washouts on the roads. Four bridges are down in the Otunui district and there are many washouts, isolating the settlers, who are unable to get their cream out. The Taumarunui electric system is still out of order, and it is unlikely to be restored till to-morrow. The water pressure is also low owing to the flood damage at the intake. Silt lies several inches deep in the houses on the Flat and there is much damage to householders’ property. The bowling green on the recreation ground is covered under several inches of silt. One woman was wakened by her baby crying. She put out her hand to rock the cradle and found water all round the bed. She made a hasty escape, and as the house was situated near the river boundary she had a difficult task getting out of the swirling waters. Taumarunui is full of people from the derailed Auckland Limited.

It is reported that a plane is coming from Palmerston North to pick up passengers anxious to get away on business. Owing to the impossibility of getting cars along the road to Matapuna at 3 o’clock this morning the Railways Department ran an engine and carriage with rescuers to Matapuna, resulting in the removal of two aged couples from waterlogged homes. At least 100 people were assisted from the flood areas during the various rescue operations, and about 200 homes were evacuated. At Manunui a man living in a hut had an unenviable experience, having his whare washed away, but it was stopped by a tree and the man was rescued after a four hours’ wait. THE TRAIN SERVICES @ GENERAL DISORGANISATION BREAKDOWN GANGS DESPATCHED. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 22. The Ohakune correspondent of the Press Association telephoned this morning stating that the heavy rainfall had caused the collapse of a culvert and washouts between Raurimu and Ongarue, and that there were floods at Karioi. The engine, a passenger car, a,nd a van of the down Limited were derailed about a quarter of a mile north of Okahukura, north of Taumarunui. No injuries were suffered by the passengers. The express from the nortli left Ohakune at 10.15 last night, but was delayed at Owhango and is still there. The up Limited to Auckland went through the flood at Karioi and was delayed, and is now at Ohakune. Breakdown trains and workers’ trains are being despatched to all points affected. Present indications are that the line north of Okahukura will be cleared by 5 p.ra. to-day. There are no indications of through communication between Raurimu and Taumarunui. It will be a big job. The full extent of the damage is not known, but all rail traffic is suspended. The floods at Karioi are now subsiding, and workmen from all points are being brought to the scene of the washout. The 2 o’clock express for Auckland left Thorndon to-day as usual. Passengers will be transhipped from a point five miles south of Taumarunui. -The meteorological office reports that 7J inches of rain fell at the Chateau Tongariro yesterday. The ordinary express which left Auckland at 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon, passed through the danger zone before the ‘trouble occurred, and arrived here on time this morning. The Railways Department says that passengers on the delayed trains are being accommodated at hotels at Taumarunui and Ohakune. It is expected that the line north of Taumarunui will be cleared by 5 o’clock this afternoon, but south of that station more difficulty will be experienced. There are a number of washouts and slips as far as Raurimu, and it wall be some time before this section will be cleared. The department, however, intends to maintain the service.

All services on the Okahukura-Strat-ford line have been suspended.