FLOOD POSITION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 July 1943, Page 3

FLOOD POSITION

EASIER IN MANAWATU. ROADS STILL UNDER WATER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) PALMERSTON N., July 13. Despite light persistent overnight rain, which continued-at intervals during today, the flood position in the Manawatu is much easier, and the Manawatu River had dropped at 1 p.m. today to 9ft. 9in„ as against 14ft. 3in. last night. All the rivers are now falling. An extensive break in the banks at Koputaroa occurred before daybreak. There is flooding to a considerable depth in the Shannon-Foxton road area. In the Taonui Basin there is slight flooding near Rangitane, but this is mostly from drains. The river cut at Kauponga resulted in the water being contained in the river, despite a rise of 14ft. There is no cause for anxiety in the Rangiotu and Makerua districts. The water was 9in. deep on the Palmerston North-Foxton highway at Rangiotu this morning, and several roads at Kairanga and Rongotea were also flooded, the water in several places being 18 inches deep. When the Tainui stream broke its banks houses were threatened in Kairanga, the water lapping their doorsteps. Kopane settlers consider the flood the worst for 17 years. The main highway at Bulls became impassable for a period, and Taylor’s and Frecklington Lines became closed to traffic. There were many slips on the railway in the Manawatu Gorge, but they have since been cleared. Late last night the Manawatu River at the Ballance bridge reached 19ft. 6in.