SEVERE FLOODS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 314, 30 August 1932, Page 5

SEVERE FLOODS

(Press. Assn.-

DWELLERS RESCUED HEAVY LOSSES SUFFERED WHEN RIVERS BREAK BANKS RAILWAY WASHED OUT

-By Telegraph — Copyright).

Masterton, Monday. Extensive areas of country in the Wairarapa district are flooded as the result of the heavy rain and snow of the past two days. Although rain fell generally, snow was restricted to a comparatively limited area, extending from Waingawa to Kaiparoro and a few miles East of Masterton. The total rainfall for the past 48 hours in Masterton was about three inches, but much snow on the Tararuas was melted by the warm weather on Saturday, and this swelled the rivers, although far heavier rain must have fallen in the ranges. About three inches of snow fell in Masterton and the vicinity where much damage was done to telephone, telegraph and electric power lines, which broke under the strain. Repairs will take several days. The Masterton telephone lines suffered severely, 300 automatics being affected and many manual lines. Telegraph communication is interrupted at Kopuaranga, but one circuit was repaired this afternoon. Rivers are now falling, but there is sei'ious flooding around Wairarapa Lake, Kahutara, Tawaha and Pihautea. At the last named place it is reported that the people were removed from their houses by boats. Heavy stock losses afe feared. A washout on the railway necessitated the transhipment of passengers. It is not expected that the line will be repaired until Wednesday at the earliest.