Editorial: It really is time for the rain to stop

Just when we thought that winter was over and the downhill drift to summer had begun, the heavens have opened.

And the rain keeps on coming and coming.

But when is enough enough? The countryside and some of our towns, especially Wairoa, have received a good soaking. The intensity and duration of the rainfall has resulted in problems for many.

State Highway 2 between Napier and Wairoa was yesterday closed due to flooding near the small settlement of Turiroa, 5km west of Wairoa. Next to this section of the highway is the Wairoa River, which has risen significantly since heavy rain began at the weekend. The road was also closed at Whirinaki near Napier and in the Wairoa township at the intersection of SH2 and Mitchell Rd.

Motorists were advised not to travel on the highway overnight and police were also checking isolated rural roads to check on motorists stranded by floodwaters.

Let's hope that we escape without any loss of life or serious damage to property.

There are also some positives to the rain. As someone said me on Sunday: "This rain is worth a million bucks to Hawke's Bay."

Certainly farmers and growers were happy to see it as it sets us up for what promises to be a long hot and dry summer. But it is now getting to a point where it is too much.

The chilly temperatures accompanying the rain have not been welcome as lambing season is in force and grass growth is limited. For the growers the risk of disease to crops is increased with the consistent rain.

Let's hope it all works out and our growers and farmers have a good year. A great summer for the rest of us would also be a bonus.