DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20140#0190
166
gkoup i., easteen india:
surrounding them. In summer the south-west monsun exists also in Assam, bat in
general is felt along the surface only as far as Bishnath. Prom there it seems to
continue its course at some elevation above the ground on account of its very
difference of temperature.1 The direction of the clouds, as well as the considerable
amount of precipitation during the rainy season, show it to exist there.
The cool season here is characterized by the presence of heavy fogs. The
beginning of their formation coincides with the minimum of temperature in the
daily period; they continue for two to four hours depositing a great quantity of
moisture on trees, houses, and all similar prominences, and afterwards rise up
as isolated cumuli. In consequence of the prevalent winds being N.E. they have
a decided tendency to occupy the south side of the valley. Small as may appear
the surface actually covered by the Brahmaputra,2 even if we include the lateral
jhils the inundation of which depends upon the height of its water, there is no
doubt, if we watch the beginning of the formation of these fogs, that they are
essentially generated along the bed of the river; also a well-marked haze is often
seen resting over the river even long after the dissipation of the general fog. These
fogs are more frequent in February than in January; in some years to such a
degree that the monthly mean of February is even depressed under that of January.
The hot season is less excessive in temperature and more frequently interrupted
by rain than in India, even along the coast of Bengal; but the moisture of the
atmosphere makes the heat more close and oppressive; the nights, however, are fre-
quently enough comparatively cool and refreshing.
The rains are of long duration: they often commence in March and last till
about the middle of October; from May to September the rainy season is but little
modified and the precipitation is very great. "In general," says Dr. Leskie, a long
resident of Gohatti, "the rains commence in April and May, with intervals of fine
weather. During July, August, and September the heaviest showers fall, but even in
these months there are dry days, and the rain seldom falls for twenty-four hours
without intermission and scarcely ever for two days."
1 Compare for an analogous modification in the direction of the hot winds of Hindostan, which i observed to
take place after sunset, in Group "Hindostan."
2 The total surface of Assam, as limited by Sadia and Goalpara occupies an area of 30,000 square miles with
an average breadth of about sixty miles, whilst the general breadth of the Brahmaputra scarcely reaches two miles,
even including the chars, or sandy moveable islands.
gkoup i., easteen india:
surrounding them. In summer the south-west monsun exists also in Assam, bat in
general is felt along the surface only as far as Bishnath. Prom there it seems to
continue its course at some elevation above the ground on account of its very
difference of temperature.1 The direction of the clouds, as well as the considerable
amount of precipitation during the rainy season, show it to exist there.
The cool season here is characterized by the presence of heavy fogs. The
beginning of their formation coincides with the minimum of temperature in the
daily period; they continue for two to four hours depositing a great quantity of
moisture on trees, houses, and all similar prominences, and afterwards rise up
as isolated cumuli. In consequence of the prevalent winds being N.E. they have
a decided tendency to occupy the south side of the valley. Small as may appear
the surface actually covered by the Brahmaputra,2 even if we include the lateral
jhils the inundation of which depends upon the height of its water, there is no
doubt, if we watch the beginning of the formation of these fogs, that they are
essentially generated along the bed of the river; also a well-marked haze is often
seen resting over the river even long after the dissipation of the general fog. These
fogs are more frequent in February than in January; in some years to such a
degree that the monthly mean of February is even depressed under that of January.
The hot season is less excessive in temperature and more frequently interrupted
by rain than in India, even along the coast of Bengal; but the moisture of the
atmosphere makes the heat more close and oppressive; the nights, however, are fre-
quently enough comparatively cool and refreshing.
The rains are of long duration: they often commence in March and last till
about the middle of October; from May to September the rainy season is but little
modified and the precipitation is very great. "In general," says Dr. Leskie, a long
resident of Gohatti, "the rains commence in April and May, with intervals of fine
weather. During July, August, and September the heaviest showers fall, but even in
these months there are dry days, and the rain seldom falls for twenty-four hours
without intermission and scarcely ever for two days."
1 Compare for an analogous modification in the direction of the hot winds of Hindostan, which i observed to
take place after sunset, in Group "Hindostan."
2 The total surface of Assam, as limited by Sadia and Goalpara occupies an area of 30,000 square miles with
an average breadth of about sixty miles, whilst the general breadth of the Brahmaputra scarcely reaches two miles,
even including the chars, or sandy moveable islands.