FLOODS IN MANAWATU

Waipa Post, Volume 32, Issue 1787, 27 July 1926, Page 4

FLOODS IN MANAWATU

■WORST FOR 24 YJEARS. (By Telegraph. Press Association.) PALMERSTOM N., Tate Day. Since Saturday afternoon rain has faleln almost continuously in the Manawatu and adjacent districts. All the low-lying parts of the town are under water, and all streams and rivers are in heavy flood. . The storm, is the worst since 1902. The Kawau stream broke its banks and flooded Takaro Park. There has been much erosion on the .river banks, especially at Fitzroy Bend, which is always a source of anxiety and danThe electric power line at Linton wab washed out of position, and a gang of men is engaged keeping the cables clear of the water. Stock have been seen floating down the river. . . The Oroua River is in high nooa. The Manawatu Gorge is blocked by 'slijps, and is impassable. The Pahi- , atua track is also blocked, thug communication across the hills) is quite cut off. :• .j„ 'la Motor cars are to be seen abandoned about the roads, cut off by the water. WANGANUI RIVER HIGH. TAUMARUNUI, This Day. The Wanganui River rose rapidly last night, and overflowed on to the road at Piriaka. The break in the weather has now removed danger of serious flooding and the rivers are subsiding Several Blips are reported on roads throughout the district. WELLINGTON, This Day. The rain which was sio severe elsewhere was not exceptionally heavy round Wellington, but enough to flood the Hu-tt River, while on both roads 'leading out of town slips have fallen, and the route to Wairarapa is blocked. Reports from iShannon (state that it is impossible to get past, even by horse, without danger. The road bridge at Linton is seriously \th)re,atened; the water reaching the floor boards. In Wellington the rain has completely cleared off, and the day is , bright and sunny. FOXTON, This Day. A phenomenal rain storm during the • week-end caused one of the biggest floods in the Manawatu for many years. Road communication is cut off by flood waters. Railway communication between Palmerston North and Foxton is suspended. 'Big washouts have oc- • curred at Rangitane and Rangiotu, where the Oroua and Manawatu rivers junction. A special train left Foxton this morning to render assistance to set- ** tier in th eflooded area, which are inundated for mile. Stop banks at Mou,toa were washed away, and, settlers homes invaded toy the water. AH flaxmills have ceased working. Considerable loss of stock is reported through- • out the district. At present there ils no indication of itlie flood subsiding. ',