THE WEATHER

Otago Witness, Issue 3595, 6 February 1923, Page 28

THE WEATHER

HEAVY RAIN AT CROMWELL. RAILWAY AND ROAD TRAFFIC SUSPENDED. {From Our Own Correspondent.) CROMWELL, January 29. The rain which ft 11 early last week later grave place to more settled weather, and, with it, oppressive heat. Early yesterday afternoon thunder and lightning raged, and were followed immediately by very heavy rainfall for ceverai hours. In some places thunderstorms prevailed, and many creeks and otherwise dry watercourses discharged huge volumes of water, and the lower region at Clyde and in Cromwell Gorge suffered tiie full force of the storm, and the result *was an interruption of traffic by road and rail. From Halfway House down the line for a few miles many parts of the railway line were covered by slips, while in another section the foundation was washed out. In consequence there was no train, mail, or passenger service from Cromwell this morning. Fruitgrowers had to return home with consignments of fruit* which, of course, means a loss. To-day the weather is again exceptionally warm and sultry. Shearing and harvesting have been seriously delated this season by reason of the unusual rains, but. against this the partner on pastoral country is benefitting, and at present is in fine order. THUNDERSTORM IN CANTERBURY. CHRISTCHURCH. January 29. A rather severe thunderstorm visited some of the country districts yesterday aftemoon. Wheat crops are now ready to cut, and harvesting has already been delayed in many districts. Discolouration of grain has occurred in districts where the rain has been heaviest, but farmers generally are hopeful that the damage so far done is limited in extent. A lot of oats has already sprouted, and it is certain that the supply of bright oaten chaff will be affected. Rain was very heavy throughout Banks Peninsula. Floods are reported at various places, with the washing of bridges out to sea. Over sin of rain was recorded at Akaroa in 24 hours. DOWNPOURS IN WELLINGTON. LANDSLIDES AND FLOODS. WELLINGTON, January 29. Heavy rain fell yesterday on the outskirts of Wellington district, causing six landslides on the Kaitoke side of tho Rimuiaka Hill. The slides occurred about 4 o’clock, and in close proximity to one another. All traffio was blocked on both sides of the hill. The old motor bridge, situated about a mile and a-half from Featherston, collapsed in the centre at about the same time as the slides took place. A pathway was cleared along the road by 7 o’clock, and the Public Works Department hopes to have the road cleared some time to-night. Like other districts, Wellington is making up for the drought of last year. Already this month close on 6in of rain has fallen, which is nearly double the average for the month of January. MANAWATU RUNNING HIGH. PALMERSTON N., January 29. The month of January has been very wet. > Hardly a day has passed since the beginning , of tho year on which rain has not fallen. Another heavy downpour registered on Saturday a total for the month of S|in. The weather is still unsettled It is expected that the rainfall will reach 9in before the end of the month, a remarkable figure for a summer month. The flood in the ; Manawatu River caused considerable erosion at the Pitzroy bend—the weakest place in i the bank in the borough. RAINSTORM AT HORORATA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, January 30. I The Hororata and Glenroy districts in the 1 Malvern Hills area experienced one of the heaviest rainstorms for the past few years j On Sunday afternoon, when something apI proaching a cloudburst must have occurred i in the foothills. In 25 minutes an inch of ' rain fell, and the total was 1.72 in for two hours, 'l'he effect upon the Hororata Stream and the creeks in the vicinity was most i remarkable. The Hororata rose from seven to eight feet within an hour. So rapid i was the rise at the Hororata bridge that a party of young men, who became engrossed with the sight of the swirling torrent carrying logs, sheep, and debris, was marooned I on the bridge, the river having risen to such an extent that their retreat was cut off in both directions. They were eventually brought to dry land by a settler who mad© < several journeys on his ha<jk, bringing off one at a time. Two motor cars were also ' marooned, having reached the bridge and 1 being unable to proceed further owing to the depth of the water on the road between the two bridges. Farming conditions are becoming alarming, and what might' have been a bountiful harvest has every prospect of being ruined. Some crops have been in stook since Christmas. Crops of grass seed will not be worth fhreshing. Heavy crops are down, and rust and blight have appeared in the wheat, _ EFFECT ON "CEREAL CROPS. CHRISTCHURCH, January 7 0. The fear was general as a result of the week-end deluge that the cereal crops within the area of the downfall, following on the showery, unfavourable weather of the preceding fortnight, would be very extensively damaged. To gain a first-hand knowledge of the effect a Press representative to-day had a run round the various districts in North Canterbury fhat came within the scope of the downfall. His conclusions are that the damage is not so widespread or so severe as was anticipated would he the case. Jn some localities wheat, both standing and in the stook, was badly discoloured and affected with mildew and smut. A number of crops in several localities, moreover, showed signs of incipient sprouting. Fortunately the weather was especially favour- , able to-day for the arrestment of uch troubles as rust add sprouting. A good drying wind set in during the early mrt, of the dav, enabling cutting to be recommenced throughout the wholo of the districts.