Clutha River Still in High Flood

Grey River Argus, 12 November 1948, Page 6

Clutha River Still in High Flood

DUNEDIN, Nov. 10. Residents of the area threatened by the Clutha flood last week are preparing for the possibility .of a second inundation. Heavy ram and melting snow in the back country have caused' the river to rise again, and the gauge at Balclutha at noon to-day recorded a level of 65.6 feet, a rise of four inches overnight. It was expected to reach 69.3 feet tonight. This compares with the peak level last Thursday of 72.2 feet. The slopbanks were inevitablyweakened by the strain of the main Hood and fears are held of their ability to hold against a second severe strain. : Parties of men are engaged to-day on minor sand-bagging operations, but mainly on road repair work on Inchclutha. Part of the island is clear of water, but the lower portion is 1 covered. The levels of Lakes Wakatapu and Wanaka were steady to-day. Unless further heavy rain complicates the position the level of the Clutha in the lower reaches may not approach the peak of last week, RED CROSS OFFER WELLINGTON, Nov. 10. The Dominions executive of the New Zealand Red Cross Society today sent a telegram: to the Mayor of Balclutha expressing sympathy to the people of the district in the anxiety caused by the serious flooding and offering aid in trained personnel and finance for immediate relief if required.