The Express.
London, England, 1864-11-16 00:00:00

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

THE OVERLAND MAIL.

INDIA.

THE CYCLONE.-TERRIBLE LOSS OF
LIFE.

We have this morning received Calcutta papers
of Oct. 15, all of which are filled with details
of the appalling effects of the late cyclone. Every
day brings intelligence of fresh misfortunes.
In one district alone (Diamond Harbour), and the
country between it and Calcutta, it has been com-
puted that not less than 5,000 souls have perished,
drowned by the land flood of the storm wave.
Great exertions were being made by the Calcutta
community to organise a system of relief for the
survivors of this dreadful visitation. A steamer
had been chartered to convey medicines, blankets,
rice, and water to the Diamond Harbour districts,
and left Calcutta on the 14th ult. for this purpose.
The following statement of the destruction to life
and landed property in the town and suburbs of
Calcutta is gleaned from reports submitted by the
superintendents of the different divisions to the
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Captain Reveley :
Casualties—Natives killed, 41 ; ditto wounded, 12 ;
puckah houses occupied by natives damaged, 1,383 ;
ditto destroyed, 18 ; katcha ditto destroyed,
89,412 ; Europeans killed, 2 ; ditto wounded, 5 ;
ditto houses damaged, 2,295 ; ditto destroyed, 92.
The Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal was to leave
Darjeeling on the 15th, en eonte for Calcutta, when
it was hoped that no time would he lost in organ-
ising a strong establishment, placed under efficient
supervision, for the removal of the carcasses of men
and cattle, which are scattered all over the portions
of the southern parts of Calcutta visited by the gale ;
and fur the removal also of the dead contaminating
the air on the banks of the river and on its waters.
The Ifuelarn says :

That no efforts are - being spared to restore matters to
something like their former poaition the present appearance
of the river sufficiently teitifies. Many vessels in the har
boor which but a few days ago presented a most distresaing
picture of damage and destruction are now riding on
even keels, displaying masts, spars, and rope., all
arranged as we have been accustomed to see them ;
and although there are, alas, • great many still
lying stranded on both banks we have hopes of
their being got off again in • short time, to ride the
waters once more. In Calcutta itself, the ditris with
which our streets were strewn has been removed and carted
away ; the gas-lamps once mor3 dispel the darkness of the
night, masons are busy on private and public edifices to
remove the unsightly scars which the storm had left, and,
so far as appearances go, Calcutta will be herself
again shortly. But beneath this exterior of com-
fort and repose there is to be found • lament-
able amount of discomfort and inquietude, caused by the
sudden and rapid rise in the prices of all articles of food,
which has compelled great numbers of the lower orders of
the people to live on rice which has been damaged by the
heavy rains which succeeded the gale, and which is in con•
sequence rotten, and most injurious to health. The total
destruction of thousands of houses has subjected crowds of
the natives to exposure to all sorts of weather; and this,
combined with the wretched garbage on which they are
living, will certainly produce bowel complaints acd other
diseases, which will sweep hundreds into the grave.

The Governor-General was on his way to Lahore,
where the great gathering of Punjaubee chiefs awl
nobles is to be held ; after which his Excellency
intended to speed to Calcutta.