HAVOC OF FLOODS

Southland Times, Issue 21430, 26 June 1931, Page 7

HAVOC OF FLOODS

WATERS STILL RISING GROWING ALARM IN TOWNS WAGGA IN DANGER (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) Sydney, June 25. Messages from the south and the southwest indicate growing alarm in many towns as the flood waters are rising. At Wagga and Junee business is at a standstill and scores of residents awoke to find the water swirling through their homes. The waters are pouring from Lake Albert, four miles away, into Wagga and this town is in grave danger, the Murrumbidgee having risen to 29ft. A flow of 12ft over the spillway of the Burrinjuck dam is reported, and the back waters overflowed on to the surrounding property at Hay. The Murrumbidgee is more than six feet above the critical mark. Conditions are equally disturbing on the Lachlan river. Forbes is safe, but- all the low-lying country is covered to a depth of several feet. The main bridge over Adelong Creek was washed away and the main street at Ganmain .is under four feet of water. A record flood is expected at Tumut. Rain is still falling. Two others are reported to be missing and believed to be drowned in Billabong Creek. HOMES DESERTED RAILWAY TRAFFIC DISORGANIZED. (Rec. 7.15 p.m.) Sydney, June 25. The Niagara’s sailing has been postponed until midnight in order to allow interstate passengers delayed by the southern floods to reach Sydney by conveyances other than the railways. Several passengers booked at Melbourne for the Niagara are arriving in- Sydney to-day by aeroplane. It is expected that rail traffic between Sydney and Melbourne will be restored by tomorrow, but a number of branch lines are still under water. About 500 people are sheltering at Wagga showgrounds. The weather generally is improving, but the rivers are still rising in the south-west. Thousands of homes are deserted, and the damage to -crops is incalculable.