41
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
The prevailing winds are east, veering occasionally to north from November to February,
west, with tendency to south from March to October; the latter, which blow more or less
constantly during the greater part of the year, render the climate of Belgaum highly enjoyable,
more especially in the months of March, April, and May, during which time the sea breeze
sets in as early as 3 P.M., thus curtailing the many hours of heat which obtain in most Indian
stations at that season, and affording cool and refreshing nights. Warm clothing is not only
bearable, but is absolutely necessary to health and comfort during the evenings at this hot
season of the year.
The water supply is good and abundant, and is derived almost entirely from wells, of which
there are many in various parts of the cantonment; the largest and best well for drinking
water is in the vicinity of the Protestant church, the water from which, however, yields a
trace of nitrates, indicating the presence of organic impurity, though to a very small extent.
From the natural formation of the ground on which the cantonment of Belgaum is situated,
presenting a very considerable slope from N. W. to S. E., the natural drainage is good; this
is supplemented by surface drains which have been cut upon each side of' the main roads. By
these means the superfluous water is effectually carried off and lodgment is prevented. The
whole of the cantonment is thoroughly flushed during the monsoon months, the drainage
being carried off by two "nullas" which unite on the S. E. boundary of camp and are lost in
the irrigated land in that direction.
The mean yearly rainfall (completed from observations extending over 10 years from
1858 to 1867), is 52 inches, the greatest fall occurring in July; showers of rain fall more or less
during every month of the year in ordinary seasons.
The climate of Belgaum varies considerably during the year; from the latter part of No
- v e m b e r u n t i l F e b r u a r y i t i s d r y a n d c o l d , o w i n g t o t h e s t r o n g e a s t w i n d s w h i c h p r e v a i l a t t h a t
season; from the latter part of February until the end of May or beginning of June, the
temperature is much increased during the day, but the heat is greatly moderated by the sea
breeze which sets in about that time, rendering the evenings and nights delightfully cool and
refreshing, on which account this season is generally considered the most agreeable of the
whole year. The S. W. monsoon commences in June and continues until November, during
which time rain falls heavily and the clouds gather so thickly that the sun is occasionally ob
- s c u r e d f o r a f o r t n i g h t o r m o r e a t o n e t i m e . T h e a t m o s p h e r e a t t h i s s e a s o n i s s o c h a r g e d w i t h
moisture, that all such perishable articles as imbibe moisture readily are quickly destroyed,
unless great precautions are taken; and all articles composed of leather, such as bindings of
books, boots, shoes, &c., covered with a thick layer of mildew if left unattended to, even for a
few hours; fires are constantly required to maintain clothes, bedding, &c., in a dry and whole
- s o m e c o n d i t i o n .
The temperature reaches its minimum (57°) in January, and attains its maximum (97°) in
April. The greatest quantity of rain falls in July, the average for that month being 17
inches.
In point of salubrity Belgaum contrasts favorably with most stations on this side of India.
The prevailing diseases are malarious fever, bowel-complaints and hepatic affections.
For many years past, epidemic diseases have been almost unknown, and although Belgaum
is contiguous to three districts (Chickodee, Gokak, and Sumpgaum) in which cholera prevails to
a considerable extent every year, it has hitherto enjoyed almost entire immunity from any
epidemic of that disease. I believe the healthiness of Belgaum may be attributed in a great
measure to its equable climate, the nature of the soil, and the influence of the sea breeze,
which blows so regularly during the greater part of the year.
Attached to this report is a sketch map of Belgaum, which will give some idea of the
relative situation of the localities I have described.
11 s