POSITION IMPROVES

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1935, Page 5

POSITION IMPROVES

FLOODS IN WAIRARAPA RECEDE.

PARTS REMAINING, UNDER WATER. By Telegraph—Press Association. Masterton, Last Night. The flood position in the Wairarapa to-day was much improved. A deluge in the Tararuas on Monday night was responsible for the suddei. flooding on Tuesday and the water receded from many localities almost as quickly as it came. To-day the Kokotau, Ahiakiuka and Tawaha areas were free of flood water. Water, however, was still lying at Kahutara and Te Hopai. The flooding of these two regions was due entirely to a breach in the Kahutara stopbank that occurred earlier this year. As these areas are very low it will be some time before they are free of water. As the property owners had ample warning no stock losses are reported. The northern approach to the Waiohine bridge on the main Masterton- Wellington highway near Greytown was undermined and all traffic was diverted through Matarawa and Dalefield until temporary repairs were effected. Repairs were being made. At three o’clock this afternoon all roads were now again open, except Kahutara Road, which will remain under water for some days at least, and the Mangatarere Valley Road near Carterton, part of which is washed away. The flooding of low-lying areas between Tiakitahuna and Rangiotu is threatened through the rise in the Manawatu and Oroua Rivers and .the overflowing of drains, says a Palmerston North message. If the waters continue to rise as they are doing it is likely that a large area will be inundated and the water will cross the main Palmerston - Foxton Road between Tiakitahuna and Rangiotu. Stock has been removed to higher areas from various parts in the Taonui Basin, which already carries sheets of water from drains, the outflow of which is barred owing to the height of the Manawatu River, which itself is slightly overflowing, filling lagoons at Tiakitahuna. For several days the biggest flood experienced for years has been pouring down the Tiritea Valley and the road to the city reservoir is blocked. A creek in the vicinity of the Rangitikei line is backed up so much that it has overflowed the surface, but it does not impede traffic. The Whirokino Road south of Foxton is still blocked by water. A large slip came down in the Manawatu Gorge during the night near the Manawatu end, blocking the route, but was cleared through the debris. The road is still dangerous owing to falling debris. Boulders fell, smashing the handrail at three points. The whole gorge route is reported to be in a very dangerous condition. There has been a continual bombardment of the roadway by small fragments of stone.