136 J. Eliot — The South-West Monsoon Storms [No. 2, 



Hence, so far as can be judged from the various meteorological re- 

 turns, light winds and fine weather prevailed over the greater part of the 

 Bay. The usual change in the direction or recurvature of the south- 

 west monsoon current (which gives a feeble cyclonic circulation to the 

 air over the centre and south of the Bay) was not only much weaker 

 than usual, but was suspended over a part of the area in the neighbour- 

 hood of the Nicobars and Andamans, where very light unsteady winds 

 had prevailed for the previous two or three days. There is, however, no 

 evidence in the meteorology of this day of the existence of any local 

 cyclonic circulation, such as might form the initial stage in the develop- 

 ment of a cyclonic disturbance or storm. 



The observations at Moulmein and Mergui confirm the previous 

 statements, and prove the existence of light variable winds, chiefly from 

 the east and north, on the east coast of the Martaban Sea. 



8th November. — During the preceding 24 hours, a rapid fall of the 

 barometer had taken place in the Punjab. The amount of the fall was 

 •26" at Mooltan, '13" at Quetta, and •12"' at Dera Ismail Khan and Lahore. 



It will be seen from the meteorology of the 9th and 10th that this 

 fall was the first indication of the occurrence of a cold weather or north- 

 east monsoon storm in Upper India. It is during these storms that a 

 large portion of the snowfall of the higher Himalayas takes place. In 

 consequence of this rapid fall, pressure was lowest over the Punjab. 

 Sudden and large changes of pressure are a frequent feature of the cold 

 weather in the Punjab. It is not yet quite certain whether the forma- 

 tion of these Punjab areas of low pressure commences simultaneously 

 over the Western Punjab and the adjacent districts of Afghanistan or 

 Belochistan. This appears to be the most probable explanation, but it is 

 not unlikely that some may occasionally form much further to the west, 

 and pass through Afghanistan or Belochistan into the Punjab or Sind. 

 It will, however, presently be seen that this considerable disturbance in 

 the Punjab exercised no appreciable action on the atmospheric circulation 

 in the Bay of Bengal. 



The distribution of pressure was somewhat complicated over India 

 itseK. Pressure was lowest in the Indus Valley. A broad band of high 

 pressure stretched down the middle of India from Ajmere to Secunder- 

 abad, whilst pressure was approximately uniform over the Bay. 



The changes of pressure were not accompanied by any immediate 

 marked change in the wind or weather. Skies were clear, and weather fine 

 and dry over all parts of India, except South Burmah and Southern 

 India (more especially the Coromandel Coast), where skies were overcast 

 and occasional showers continued to be received. The amounts which fell 

 at the various rainfall registering stations were very small. 



