1859.] The Flooding of the Indus. 199 



Memorandum on tlie nature and effects of the Flooding of the Indus 

 on 10th August, \S5S, as ascertained at Attolc and its neighbour- 

 hood. — By Capt. W. Henderson, Engineers. 



On the Indus, 1th January, 1859. 



I begin by observing that tins is not the first flood of the sort, 

 but that one on a somewhat larger scale, but in other respects very 

 similar, took place in May,* 181*1. I have seen two very brief 

 accounts of this flood, one I think collated by Col. Abbott, the other 

 furnished by Col, Cunningham. I have also collected at Attok and 

 the neighbourhood some information on the effects of this earlier 

 flood; and as the two are very similar and mutually throw light 

 upon one another, I shall have to refer to that of 1841, and so 

 premise this allusion to it. 



The first point on which information is called for is the spot 

 where the obstruction took place. This can only be ascertained by 

 sending up an Officer by way of Cashmere. In the meantime I may 

 offer a few observations. 



The obstruction of 18-11, took place in the upper part of the val- 

 ley of the Sliayok River or northern Indus which joins what is consi- 

 dered as the main Indus at Keris, and I think brings down more 

 water than the other, which from its long and straight course is na- 

 turally considered the principal or parent stream. The blocking took 

 place in the part of the Valley where the stream runs at the back 

 of a high range which separates it from the Nubra Valley. I have 

 been over this ground and was struck with the frequency and soli- 

 dity of the glaciers which occupy almost every valley in the range, 

 with their tributary glens also. The range is granite, and large 

 rough blocks of that rock form an important component of these 

 glaciers. 



The first information was received in the neighbourhood of Attok 

 about the middle of July 1858, and of all that I have heard of, that 

 which appeared most worthy of credit was a letter forwarding what 

 purported to be a general warning by the Syuds of Kangra or 



* I have no books to refer to, so that the date is assigned on native evidence, 

 which is particularly uncertain as regards time. 



