RIVERS IN HIGH FLOOD

Southland Times, Issue 24598, 21 November 1941, Page 6

RIVERS IN HIGH FLOOD

IMPROVEMENT SHOWN IN WEATHER ROADS BLOCKED IN SEVERAL DISTRICTS A general improvement in the weather took place in Southland during the last 24 hours. The weather in most of the province was fine and overcast for the greater part of yesterday. There has been much flooding, however, and the Oreti river, which was still high at Lumsden last night, crossed the road at several points. The river was in full flood at Lumsden yesterday, but was reported to be falling slowly last evening. The main road between Invercargill and Riverton was blocked by more than two feet of water at the Iron Bridge last night and the road was reported to be impassable. The river was still rising in that locality. The Oreti river was across the road at Lochiel and the road to Otautau was impassable. The river was still rising last night, but the road may be passable today. Water was also across the road at Winton and at the Oreti river bridge the water was about three feet deep. Because of the flooded roads, several travellers bound for Nightcaps and Oreti were compelled to stay the night at Winton. FLOODING AT CENTRE BUSH At Centre Bush the river overflowed its banks and entered the railway yard, where the goods shed was surrounded by water last night. The road from Centre Bush to Nightcaps, by way of the hundred line, was blocked last night. Because of the rising river, the Limehills School bus returned the children to their homes about 11 a.m. yesterday. The bus was unable to return across the river. Rural mail deliveries were also affected in this district. The Automobile Association (Southland) reported that the river at Makarewa was rising yesterday afternoon, but at Dipton the Oreti river was falling. About three feet of water was reported on the West Plains-Taramoa road at Little Bush yesterday afternoon. No rain fell in the Gore district yesterday, but rivers continued to rise and several roads were still blocked last night. The worst flooding occurred in the Waikaka Valley and Waikaia districts and roads in these areas were impassable. The water over the road at the foot of Sheddan’s Hill in the Waikaka Valley area was about three feet in depth, while at Waikaia the river overflowed its banks and covered the road at several points. The Wai-kaia-Gore bus was not able to make its usual trip.

MAIN NUKTH Kuai> ISLUCJvr.u i The main north road was blocked to ; traffic at Waipahi yesterday morning, the road at this point being covered to a depth of about two feet, but the water receded during the morning and cars were able to get through at about midday. The road was still covered . at this point to a depth of about a , foot last night, but the water was re- | ceding. > The river road to Knapdale was ■ covered to a depth of more than two ■ feet at East Gore, and at least one ' motorist had to be pulled out. This ■ road was not passable last night. The river road to Mataura was also blocked all day, there being more than two feet of water over the road at the fellmongery in East Gore. This road was still impassable last night. All roads to Central Otago were still carrying a fair amount of surface water, and motorists were advised to exercise extreme care at some points. Heavy flooding also occurred on the Lumsden-Queenstown road, which was blocked at various points between ' Nokomai and Athol until about 3 ■ o’clock yesterday afternoon, when the j water began to recede. The Garston- | Lumsden bus was unable to make the i trip until late in the afternoon. There ; was a fair amount of surface water on | the Gore-Lumsden road, but it was I negotiable. TRAIN CANCELLED , Because of a wash-out at Eyre Creek, ' near Athol, the goods train that runs from Lumsden to Kingston was can- I celled yesterday. Flood waters made the line impassable. However, it is , expected that normal running will be I resumed today. The Queenstown bus i was also unable to get through. Steady rain was reported to be falling last night at Lumsden. Light rain fell in Invercargill last evening, but the weather was fine at a late hour last night.