HEAVY SNOW STORM

Evening Star, Issue 24334, 24 October 1942, Page 4

HEAVY SNOW STORM

CENTRAL OTAGO VISITATION SERIOUS TELEPHONIC DISRUPTION Following iu the wake of widespread and heavy rain, snow began to fall yesterday afternoon over the greater part of the Hat country of Central Otago and on all high country in the province, down to the hills around the city. The snow in most parts of Central was the heaviest this year, and ranged from 2in at Alexandra to 1 Gin at Oturehua. The storm caused the dislocation of telephone'services in the Maniototo County and Ranfurly was completely isolated' for some hours. Losses among sheep and probably among the few early shorn sheep are feared, while fruit crops are likely to be adversely aflceted. The rain commenced to fall in South Canterbury on Thursday night, gradually working down the coast and over the inland districts, it was very heavy everywhere, generally heavier than in tho city, and in the Lakes district amounted to a downpour. During yesterday afternoon snow began to fall over all Central, being very heavy on tho high country and also unusually heavy on tho low country for this time of the year. The fall appears to have been most severe on the lowlands in the Maniototo, where, following more than IJin of rain, snow began about 3 p.m. yesterday. On the plain it ranged up to 4in, with IQin at Naseby, Oturehua had the heaviest fall, it being ICin there. The snow fell without the usual wind accompaniment, consequently it piled up on telephone and telegraph lines, and on tree and shrubs. More than 200 lines were broken on the Maniototo Plain, and for about eight hours Ranfurly was completely isolated from all districts through lines breaking. Communication- with Dunedin was restored about 10 a.m. this morning, when conditions at Ranfurly showed an improvement.

Although the snoiy is not likely to remain long on the low country at this time of the year the cold snap is certain to have adverse effects on lambs, and lambing is now general. Some shearing has also been carried out in the districts visited by the snow, and the shorn sheep may not come through the sharp change unaffected. In the fruit districts snow lay between 2in and oiu this morning, the measurements being recorded at Alexandra and Roxburgh respectively. The actual snow, although it bowed down trees, is not likely to cause much damage, but the danger lies in frost following, and that danger will remain so long as there is snow on the surrounding hills. It is reported froift Alexandra that there had been heavy snow on the high country, and this probably would not thaw for a few days. Conditions at Alexandra at 11.30 were threatening, but not quite so cold as during the night. The heavy rain further up country resulted in the Clutha River showing a sharp rise. It had risen 7ft at Cromwell early this morning, and 6ft at Alexandra, and was still rising. The river was slightly above normal before the rain, and with this latest rise at Alexandra was about Bft to Oft above normal, but this was not a level to cause any anxiety. Reports received by the Automobile Association (Otago) stated that there was 3in of snow 911 the Pigroot, but this was melting quickly. Between Cromwell and Queensberry there had occurred a small washout on the road, but the bus from Wanaka got through to-day. There was also a washout on the Frankton-Kingston road, and extreme care on the part of motorists is advised. Care is also called for on the Nevis Bluff-Queenstown road, which is in bad condition. The rain everywhere has been heavy enough to remove any drought worries that existed, and the country generally should soon show considerable benclit from the soaking.

FLOODING IN WESTLAND BRIDGE SPANS WASHED AWAY (P.A.) HOKITIKA, Oct. 24. Heavy flooding resulted throughout Westland following heavy rains in the past two days. The most serious damage reported is in the washing away of two spans of the big Wanganui lliver bridge'north of Harihari. Lowlying portions about Hokitika are covered with flood waters, but no material damage is reported. GALE AND RAIN AUCKLAND GARDENS DAMAGED (P.A.) AUCKLAND, October 24; A northerly gale which threatened to spoil the Labour Day week-end blew throughout the night, but had passed over by mid-foi'enoon. It was succeeded by bright holiday weather. Torrential rain fell between 4 and 8 o'clock, when over an inch was recorded. The gale caused damage to gardens and orchards. HOLD-UP AT RAKAIA RAIL TRAFFIC DISLOCATED (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 24. One of the most serious dislocations to rail traffic for some years occurred at Rakaia to-day, when flood waters sweeping across the northern approach to the railway bridge caused considerable damage through scouring. No trains had crossed the bridge up till early this afternoon, and road traffic was also interrupted, but the delay was not as serious as that on the railway bridge. It was possible to tow vehicles through the water on the road, and rail passengers were transhipped by motor vehicles over the affected portion. At midday to-day four chains of the approach at the railway bridge were scoured out, and although a gang was working to repair the line there was little that could be done, as the water was still high and there was then no indication when trains would be able to pass ovei the line.