1851.] Floods in India of 1849. 187 



mencement of the year without showers. The quantity that had fallen 

 during the first Monsoon months, was in all 34.28 — fall for May 

 7.44, June 14.40, July 12.24. The total fall for the year had been 

 40.67— that of 1848 up to 1st August 38.96— the total fall at Calcutta 

 last year was 58.69. 



During the first fortnight of the month we had at Bombay seven 

 days wholly fair — on the other seven the rains were very light. On 

 the 16th and 17th, we had heavy falls which now continued with little 

 intermission. While a plentiful supply of rain was thus being provided 

 for the Malabar Coast as far North as Guzerat, all along the Ghauts, 

 around Sholapore, and over a great part of Candeish, — only a few 

 showers had occurred over the Deckan. At Ahmedabad so late as the 

 27th July, a famine was apprehended : Kurbee, which sold last season 

 at 60 bundles, was selling for 16 to the rupee. The Saugor and Ner- 

 budda Territories were suffering still, most severely. Around Deesa 

 and along Mount Aboo by Sehore, Ajmere and Nusseerabad, and 

 all over Rajpootana, — at Delhi, Meerut, Agra, all along the North 

 West Provinces, — such was the deficiency that a terrible scarcity and 

 famine was apprehended. The barometer stood high, and the heat 

 was excessive ; and though there seemed frequent promises, there was 

 no actual fall of rain worth notice anywhere. On the 22nd the first 

 threatenings made their appearance. A hurricane swept the Jullunder 

 Doab, carrying every thing before it. A similar gale levelled the 

 barracks of H. M.'s 32nd with the ground : a kindred one destroyed 

 the barracks at Ghazeepore. Heavy rain fell at Meerut, but did not 

 reach Delhi, though it raged all around. A severe thunder-storm with 

 rain occurred at Poona, and heavy showers fell at Ahmedabad : it 

 poured in torrents at Bolarum. On the 25th, a tremendous burst 

 occurred all over India. At Bombay, where it had been rainin^ 

 heavily before, the unprecedented fall of nearly a foot occurred, and 

 sixteen inches fell in three days. An Arab ship was dismasted half 

 way across from Muscat. A heavy fall occurred at Poona, and all 

 over the Deckan, at Sholapore, Ahmednugger, Surat, Ahmedabad, 

 Agra, Meerut, and Delhi, — reviving the hopes of the husbandmant, 

 and substituting the prospect of plenty for the apprehension of wan, 

 On the 25th and 26th, it rained and blew violently at Phoonda Ghat. 



2 b 2 



