Dangers on Melting Ice

The thaw which began in Dublin yesterday morning continued through the night, thus ending one of the severest spells of cold weather experienced in many years. The disappearance of the frost may bring sadness, particularly to the youth who have enjoyed themselves so much on the ice, but to most, it comes as a great joy. On Monday night, there had been 21 degrees of frost, with the minimum temperature being 11 degrees Fahrenheit. Yesterday morning, the temperature rose gradually until a maximum of 1-2 degrees above freezing point was reached. In this “warmth,” the ice on the roadsides began to melt, and soon all thoroughfares became rather sodden. The ice in the rivers and canals also began to break up.

Temperature Falls

However, during the evening and night, the weather got colder again, and by 11 o’clock the temperature was back to freezing point. This does not strike a note of pessimism, for the experts say that with the wind coming from the South-West, the weather is likely to be much warmer. The severe spell has definitely passed.

New Trouble

The thaw can bring its troubles as well as its joys, and now that it has come, householders must be on the watch for flooding. Since the frost set in, the daily consumption of water in Dublin has gone up from 2.2 million gallons a day to 7 million. The big rise is attributed to the fact that many people left their taps running at night to prevent them from freezing. They are now advised to cease this operation; otherwise, they may wake up to find not a shortage of water, but an excess, as their houses may likely be flooded.

An official from the Corporation Water Department advised householders to turn off the water supply from the street, as bursts caused by the frost will show up during the thaw, often with serious results. As soon as these are observed, the Corporation Waterworks (Consumers) Department should be notified immediately. They can be contacted by phoning 76811.

While most found it pleasant to hear the crackle of the ice as it broke up, for others it was not such a happy affair. These include people who have been enjoying skating over the past week. In all instances, the ice was covered with water, indicating that it was melting. Some believe that the ice in the Zoological Gardens will hold fast for at least another day, and arrangements have been made for skating to continue there today.

A Warning

At this stage, it is advisable to issue a warning. In most places, particularly rivers and canals, and areas mostly used by children, the ice is not very thick. It is in these areas that the ice will give way quickest, and parents should take every possible precaution to ensure their children stay away from them.

A warning has also been issued by the Crumlin Tenants’ Protection Association, who passed a resolution asking parents to keep their children away from the quarry at Sundrive Road, where the ice has melted considerably. The association has sought the cooperation of the Guards in preventing children from going there.

With the end of the blockade on the waterways, the Grand Canal Company hopes to get their traffic back to normal almost immediately.