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September in the Gangetic Valley and Bengal, and in the northern part of
the Bay. In October and November there was a rise, which latterly became
excessive, but in December was less than the average.
Temperature of the air.—At the close of 1872, except in the central
provinces and in Eastern Bengal, there existed an abnormally high rate of
temperature, which in Orissa and Hazaribagh was maintained till the end
of April. Everywhere else there was in January a general and unusual fall
of temperature to 1° below the average After a rise in February the temper-
ature declined below the average in March, and in April was of the usual
intensity. In May the heat became excessive in Lower Bengal. At Calcutta
106° was registered on the 21st of the month, a temperature which has been
reached but once before during the last 19 years. At Jessore on the
same day the maximum was 109·9,° at Barhampur on the two succeeding
days 112'5,° readings which, though common enough in the continental climate
of the upper provinces, are extremely rare in the damper province
of Bengal. In Chhota Nagpur at this time the temperature was below
the average. In June, except at Goalpara and Silchar, owing to the
comparative failure of the monsoon rains, the heat instead of moderating
as in ordinary years, remained as intense as in May, and in some
cases exceeded it. At Outtack the excess was above the average by 3,° and
at Calcutta by 3°5'. In July the rain reduced the temperature to a very little
above the average ; and in Orissa to a little below it. In Patna, and probably
at Gya, the temperature continued excessive to the end of the year. In Sep-
tember the heat in Bengal was above the average; in October it was below it,
save at Calcutta and Goalpara. In November, and still more in December,
the weather was warmer than usual, except at Goalpara which was colder.
Humidity.—Save in a few unimportant and exceptional cases, the quantity
of vapour in the atmosphere was less than usual; and owing to this and the
prevailing high temperature, its tendency to precipitation as rain was compar-
atively small. In Hazaribagh, where the atmosphere was driest, the humidity
was 11 per cent below the average of the year, and during the first six months
of the year, and again in October ranged from 10 to 20 per cent, below
the local average. At the close of 1872 everywhere in Bengal, except
at Patna and Darjeeling, the air was moister than usual. In January,
save at a few stations in the Gangetic delta, in Eastern Bengal, the air
became generally drier. February was a still drier month, March and
April, except at Hazaribagh, were moister than usual. In May the
atmosphere In. Northern Bengal and Bihar was excessively dry, the deficit at
Patna, Monghyr, and Berhampore reaching to 10 and 14 per cent, of
saturation. In June, save at False Point, the comparative dryness was ex-
cessive and universal. In July and August the dryness was greater than
usual, increased in September, especially in Behar, and in October became
excessive. In November and December the excessive dryness somewhat
abated, but less in the neighbourhood of the Himalayas than elsewhere.
Rainfall.—The rainfall of 1873 was deficient almost everywhere, and
uniformly so throughout the year, Hazaribagh and Ranchi being almost the
only exceptions. In the deltaic districts of Lower Bengal the deficiency
amounted generally to between 30 and 40 per cent, save in Western Burdwan,
where it was but 20 per cent., and in one station, Suri, where there was a
slight excess. In the Eastern districts south of the Khasi and Garo Hills
(except at Noakhali, which had an excess of 17 per cent.) the rainfall was 20
per cent. below the average. In Assam the fall was from 12 to 30 per cent.
below the average, and at Cherapunji 241 inches, or 46 per cent.
Wind.—In January the northerly winds that had prevailed in the
delta during the last two months of 1872 died away, the prevalent direction
in Behar and Lower Bengal being west, but unsteady and variable. In
February and March the winds were as usual westerly in the interior and
southerly on the coast and in Orissa, except in Eastern Bengal, where easterly
winds preponderated. In April the coast winds continued, as usual, steady
from the south, but in Northern Bengal and Bihar there was still an excess
of easterly winds, especially indicated at Monghyr and Berhampur. June was
remarkable for an unusual prevalence of westerly winds, especially noticeable
at Hazaribagh and Kattak, and at Silchar, at which place there was in this
M