FLOOD DANGER

Southland Times, Issue 25305, 7 June 1935, Page 8

FLOOD DANGER

HASTINGS DISTRICT HEAVY FALL OF RAIN ROADS IMPASSABLE (Per United Press Association.) Hastings, June 6. Continuous rain since early last night following intermittent heavy showers during yesterday has resulted in the rivers and streams throughout the district being many feet above normal and threatening to flood seriously. Reports received from outlying districts this evening indicate that the rain is showing some signs of decreasing, while the Rivers Board officials have a more hopeful outlook. The Ngaruroura river was nine feet above normal throughout the afternoon, but showed signs of increasing further. Although an immense volume of water was coming down the channel at nightfall, it had fallen slightly. This river rose at a phenomenal rate in the morning, at one stage increasing its level by six inches in 20 minutes.

The Tutaekuri river, the other danger point in the district, is not giving rise to so much concern, although it, too, is considerably above normal to the extent of as much as seven feet. Road communication between Napier and Hastings on the main road is severed, due to the Waitangi dip, a lowlying portion, being covered to a depth of two to three feet by water from the Tutaekuri overflow. Ordinary motor traffic was unable to negotiate this stretch of road during the late morning and until 4 o'clock only the high Government railway buses were able to use the road. The water then became too deep even to permit these vehicles to run and passengers between the two towns were transported by train. Of the two remaining alternative routes, only one is now open and this is satisfactorily carrying traffic. The Napier-Wairoa road is closed on account of a major slip on Mohaka Hill, while there are also other minor slips on other parts of the road. It is not anticipated the road will be cleared until late to-morrow afternoon. The Napier-Taupo route was still open this evening, although the road is suffering from small slips and surface water.

Although the Rivers Board officials were more hopeful this evening as to the prospect of the rivers not causing a great deal of further trouble, they feel that a change may possibly come over the situation at a late hour to-night when it is high tide, which will have the effect of the water in the river banking up from the mouth. Farmers throughout the district have been warned adequately and stock have been removed from the danger areas to higher country, this precaution having been taken by most country people this morning. Extensive areas of surface water are to be seen between Napier and Hastings which provide an indication of the waterlogged condition of the land. Approximately six inches of rain have fallen since the rain first set in. RAIN IN POVERTY BAY DAMAGE TO ROADS. (Per United Press Association.) Gisborne, June 6. Heavy rain fell in Poverty Bay today and did much damage to roads. On the coast road from Tokomaru Bay northwards, a portion near Te Puia subsided and traffic was held up for some hours, but is expected to be resumed. to-morrow. The most serious inconvenience was caused by damage to the road south to Napier. A slip occurred in the Matahoura gorge near Waikare and for a time cars used the viaduct erected for' the railway. Later a big slip occurred on the Wairoa side of Mohaka and the road was impassible, service trips being cancelled. No southern mail for Gisborne left Napier to-night, s Mails from Gisborne which usually go over the south road were sent north via Opotiki and Taneatua. Advice to-night was to the effect that the Waipaoa river between Gisborne and Te Karaka was 11 feet above normal and heavy rain- was still falling, leading to the possibility of floods. Water from the Waikohu river was up to the decking of a low level bridge on the main north road and if it should rise much further, road communication with the north will be cut off. At 10.30 p.m. heavy rain is still falling.