MANAWATU GORGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 August 1939, Page 8

MANAWATU GORGE

HIGHWAY AGAIN BLOCKED BUS PARTLY BURIED. PEOPLE ON BOARD NOT INJURED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) PALMERSTON N„ This Day. | A slip which fell at 11.30 this morning blocks the Manawatu Gorge highway at a place similar to that of earlier interruptions. Just as a service bus was passing along a narrow track at its' base, the slip opened up and burst out, partially engulfing the vehicle, but no one was injured. Strenuous work was subsequently done to extricate the bus and open another track. Meanwhile it is reported that a big slip came down on the Siberia Road; on the southern side of the Manawatu River, between Aokautere and the Gorge. Tiic slip is slated to be right across the road to a height of six feet. Heavy rain fell in the city overnight and continues today. The country is waterlogged and all outdoor farm work is at a standstill. SERIOUS FLOODS TRACK OPENED THROUGH GORGE. PALMERSTON N.. This Day. Fears of flooding which* may assume a serious aspect are entertained in the lower areas of the Manawatu. following on a rapid rise of the Manawatu and Oroua rivers. The latter is reported to have broken ’its banks at Kopane and creeks are in high flood. The rainfall in the city was li inches overnight and in the Tiritea Hills nearly 21 inches. Numerous roads are reported to be blocked by slips and flooding. The Manawatu Gorge has been reopened with a track past the slip, but the Feilding-Awahuri route is blocked by water. The Oroua River at Rangictu has risen about sixteen feet and is lapping the arches of the main highway bridge.