Expensive Rain
p. 53 · Read in the full issue
In Tahiti
Torrential rain in Tahiti for several days in late January and early February caused damage estimated at between £250,000 and £500,000.
Papeete suffered unprecedented flood damage, particularly to roads, which will need expen diture of about £lOO,OOO to put them in repair again.
Heavy damage was caused by debris piling up before bridges, which thus became dams hold ing the water back.
The thinning of trees on mountain plateaus was also a serious factor in the flooding, because with few trees and little vegetation to hold the water, soil and rocks were swept down the streams, further impeding the rush of water to the sea.