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Meteorology, Atmospheric Pressure—" In January and February the
pressure was abnormally high all over Bengal except Cuttack, where it was
lower than usual in March. Except at Chittagong, Goalpara, and Darjeeling,
where it remained unusually high, the pressure was everywhere below the
average, excessively so in Orissa. In April it continued high at Darjeeling,
but was low at Goalpara, and remained below the average in Orissa. In May
it was unusually high in Darjeeling, Goalpara, and somewhat so in Eastern
Bengal; in Orissa it continued lower than the average, and also at the coast
stations round the northern part of the Bay of Bengal, In June and July
there was a higher pressure than usual everywhere save at the head of the
Bay, where stormy weather prevailed, and a cyclone was formed at the end
of June. In August the pressure fell evervwhere, especially in Behar and
Orissa, and continued low over the Bay of Bengal. In September the pressure
increased to somewhat above the average, especially over Lower Bengal to
the west of the delta. A cyclone crossed the delta near Jessore on the 20th.
In October, November, and December, the pressure was everywhere below
the average, the Bay of Bengal included.
Temperature of the Air.—The temperature was above the average
during the first six months of the year at Cuttack, False Point, and Saugor
Island, especially in March. In February the temperature in Bengal generally
was two or three degrees lower, and in March three or four degrees higher
than usual. April and May were hotter than usual, except in Eastern Bengal.
In June, owing to the absence of rain, the temperature remained unusually
high ; but in the latter part of the rainy season and in October it fell to a
little below the average. In July and the succeeding months Behar was
unusually hot. In November and December the temperature was above the
average almost everywhere.
Humidity.—The air was more humid than usual throughout the year at
Dhaka and False Point. At Darjeeling it was less humid during the same
period. The humidity of the air was above the average at Dhaka and False
Point, and lower than the average at Darjeeling, throughout the year. At
Cuttack the first seven months were drier, and the last five damper than usual.
At Patna the first half of the year was damper, and the remainder drier than
the average. As regards Bengal as a whole, January was more damp than
usual, in February and March the humidity lessened, in April it fell below
the average, and continued to fall all June ; in August it rose rapidly above
the average, fell again in September, after which date it increased till the end
of the year, December having the greatest abnormal humidity.
Rainfall.—This was unusually light, being 15 inches at Calcutta, 16 at
Kishnagarh, 18 inches at Bardwan, 30 inches at Saugor Island, 23f at Bogra,
38 3 / 4 at Mymensingh, and at Dhaka nearly 11 inches below the average.
Tipperah, Northern Bengal, and Western and South-Western Behar had
also a diminished rainfall. Over a few small areas, e.g., Berhampur, Suri,
Jaisur, Naokhali, Champaran, Tirhut, Chota Nagpur south of the Damuda,
at Sambalpur, and in Assam and Orissa, the fall was above the average.
Wind.—The land winds from the Upper Provinces were weak in Janu-
ary, stronger in February, normal in March as regards strength, but with an
excess of southerly elements. In April north-west winds predominated in
Cuttack, and westerly winds were unusually prevalent at Hazaribagh, In
June westerly winds still predominated in Orissa, while in Behar and the
delta south and east winds prevailed. In July, August and September, the
direction of the wind was normal, but the usual westerly winds were either
weak or absent in Orissa and Western Bengal. In November and December
also there was a deficiency of westerly winds.
Summary —The chief meteorological features in Bengal in 1872 were:—
3, deficient rainfall; 2, weak westerly winds; 3, an increased number of
storms in the Bay at the beginning and close of the monsoon; 4, diminished
atmospheric pressure over the north of the Bay, and increased pressure in the
south-east of the Bay, especially during the first six months. (From Mr.
H. F. Blanford's report.)
Food-supply.—On the whole, except in those districts where there was
a high mortality and a general prostration of the people from epidemic fevers,
so as to interfere with cultivation and cause a local rise in the price of food,
there seems to have been no scarcity in 1872,