FLOOD DAMAGE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16364, 11 June 1927, Page 5

FLOOD DAMAGE

ON WAIKOKOPU RAILWAY LINE SUSPENDED IN MID-AIR RESULT OF LOCAL CLOUDBURST Damage has been done to both tho road and railway between Nnhaka and Waikokopu as the result of a flood caused by what was likened unto a cloudburst which swept the district on Wednesday night. The most serious damage occurred on the railway line about three miles from Waikokopu, where there is u washout about 50ft in width and 35ft deep, leaving the rails and sleepers suspended as a bridge-across the gap. The washout oeeured at a filling and above this some slips came down in a gully. As a result, a waterway beside the embankment, filled rapidly, the pressure of water becoming too much for the filling, which gave way. Temporary repair work has boon started in order to resume traffic on the line. In order to do this, the construction of a deviation is necessary and it is anticipated that a week will elapse before traffic is rosiorod. It is impossible fo indicate at present how long permanent repairs will take us the problem is said to be one requiring a great deal of consideration. A.number of slips came down on the road, but ihese are not serious and trafiie is again able to use this route.

"While...it. is stated that ■ a local floudburst oh Wednesday was responsible for tho damage, a report from Wairoa states that the rain which fell there was nothing unusual.