THE WEATHER.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 November 1915, Page 5

THE WEATHER.

A HEAVY THUNDERSTORM TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION CUT OFF. Owing to, the stoppage in telegraphic communication last night our cable news is much curtailed this morning, telegrams and cables which should have been received last night not having arrived at the time of going to press. Yesterday afternon and evening Xew Plymouth, like other portions of the North Taranaki district, was visited by thunderstorms of exceptional severity. Shortly after mid-day the first of the storms made its presence known by a violent thunder-clap, and vivid lightning, much of it "forked," and thunder continued for nearly two hours, rain meanwhile falling incessantly. The first «l«c----trical disturbance passed away About three o'clock, but the rest of the afternoon was wet and humid, betokening further hositiiies. About eight o'clock another and more violent storm paued over the town. Prolonged lightning flashes every few seconds lit up the whole city and country-side, and Were dazzling in the extreme. These We followed by terrific peals of thus(4«r, which shook many buildings, and canned some consternation. Torrents of rata accompanied the storm which lasted until after 10.30.

A number of business people And resi« dents who were using the electric light yosterdav afternoon had an uncanny ex* perience, their lights being suddenly completely extinguished, about 3 o'clock by a, flash of lightning that was mole than unpleasantly close. It was some minutes before the lights could be got to work again.

About 10 o'clock last evening, the Telegraph office advised us that, 10 far as telegraphic communication was concerned, Xew Plymouth was "cut oft from civilisation.'' The storm had played havoc with the wires, and no mmmimi. cation was possible with southerp placet. About 1.30 this morning one wire WM got to work, and news began to cams through.