PIPIRIKI ISOLATED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 226, 25 September 1942, Page 4

PIPIRIKI ISOLATED

WANGANUI RIVER RISING MUCH RAIN AND HIGH WINDS The Wanganui district has experienced two days of boisterous weather with high northerly winds and much rain, particularly in the back country where roads are blocked by slips and streams are in flood. Reports from Pipiriki last night advised that the settlement was isolated. Following fresh northerly winds on Wednesday, heavy rain fell .overnight and continued intermittently all yesterday. According to data supplied by the New Zealand Friends’ School, St. John's Hill, the rainfall recorded during the 24 hours ended 6 p.m. yesterday was .79in. While the coastal area has been swept by high winds, inland districts have exoerienced cxcee'ionallv heavy rain. The Wanganui River Road to Pipiriki is blocked in several places, the most serious slin being on the Pipiriki side of the Gentle Annie. A service car which left Wanganui yesterday was unable to get through, and it was reported also that the Pipiriki Road, giving access to Raetihi, was blocked by a slip which would not be cleared till to-day. It is not known when the River Road will again be oocn to traffic. A considerable fresh was running in the Wanganui River yesterdav. At 8 p.m. the water was about 20 fee? above the wharf at Pipiriki and still rising. The bridge on the main road near Pipiriki House was impassable because of flood waters covering it to a depth of nine feet. Pipiriki residents say that the present fresh In the river is the heaviest for the past six months. If the water continues to rise the position may become more serious, with flooding in the lower reaches. Because of the high winds telephonic communication between Wanganui and Waverley was disrupted on Wednesday night and not restored till 9.30 a.m. yesterday. Though yesterday was unpleasant out of doors, temperatures were comparatively mild, the maximum recorded being: 61degs. Fahr., and the minimum 46degs. Fahr. The Automobile Association (Wanganui) advised last night that the Mangaweka-Taihape Road is blocked between Mangaweka and Utiku, and may remain closed for a day or two. In the meantime, motorists are advised not to use the Kawhatau Road as a deviation till an inspection is made and a further report obtained It is possible that because of heavy rain slips have occurred on this road. Reports indicate that, the rain has not been so heavy on the WanganuiRaetihi highway, commonly known as the Parapara Road. The secretary of the Automobile Association. Mr. F. J. Hill, said last night that this road is still open. MAIN TRUNK BLOCKAGE SLIP NEAR MANGAWEKA Because of a slip between Mangaweka and Utiku. five miles south of Taihape, the Main Trunk line was blocked from about .11 a.m. yesterday till 6 p.m. The slip camo down in a cutting and partly buried the locomotive and three wagons of a northbound ballast train. Due to restricted services operating on the Main Trunk, only two mixed trains were delayed. The work train had ballast from the Kakariki crushing pit and left Marton yesterday morning for Taihape. The slip came down from a greasy papa bank after heavy rain, but the locomotive and wagons were not derailed. The engine was dug clear within a short time and proceeded to Taihape. The wagons were extricated in the afternoon. In the meantime the mixed train which left Marton at 9.10 a.m. for Taumarunui was held at Mangaweka. The southbound mixed train from Taumarunui. normally due to reach Marton at 6.0 p.m., was held for ar hour at Utiku. Passengers by the 9.10 a.m. train from Marton were transhipped by road between Mangaweka and Taihape, where they joined another train.