‘M.T. Routes in Persia. Volume 1 – Main Routes. 1942’ [‎142v] (289/498)

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Route VIII—Section B— contd.
3. Surface and Grading—The surface is either metalled or
sufficiently hard to be regarded generally as the equivalent of
metalled. It suffers from deterioration in the spring from rain
and spates. Metalling is sprinkled on but not rolled Pot holes
are filled in on an average once a year. The surface of the roa< ^
across the AMRANI desert cuts up badly in wet weather and
would require maintenance. The mountain passages are narrow
in places (see Detailed Report) and very steep for M.T., gradients
reaching 1 in 6 and 7 in about 6 places.
4. Character of Adjacent Country —Stony desert, or open
valleys flanked by barren hills. Entirely treeless except in the
irrigated gardens. There are several transverse hill systems crossed
between BIRJAND and MESHED. Any of these could be turned
by a force organised on a pack basis. In most of the hilly districts
diversion off the road by wheels would be impossible. The
surface of the deserts, except in the salt wastes, is hard enough to
permit A.F.V’s and tanks to manoeuvre without much difficulty
excepting in very wet weather when the going would be very
heavy and A.F.V’s might be confined to the road.
5. Climatic effects. —Summer temperatures in the deserts
are extremely high, going up to 115° shade temperature.
Nights are however cooler. In the hills the summer is temp >rate
Throughout the winter temperatures are very low, especially
in the north.
The rainfall is small, the rainy season lasting from January
until the end of April. In the north snow may be expected
from the middle of December to the end of March, someti i es
until later. The mountain passes are blocked by snow for varying
periods, particularly between TURBAT-I-HAIDARI and
MESHED Road gangs generally succeed i.i clearing the passes
within a we 2 k, often less. These passes could be kept open if
extra labour was employed as soon as snow falls. Snow in this
respect is less of an obstacle than in the higher mountains
between MESHED and TEHRAN. Tnere are occasional spates
in the spring, up to as late as the end of April, but normally
they subside in a few hours and cause no great stoppage of
traffic.
There is practically no malaria Sandfly fever is prevalent
in the southern desert districts.
6. Exceptional features —The passes between TURBAT-I-
HAIDARI and KAFIR KALEH are narrow and would necessi"
tate particularly careful traffic control.
The largest unbridged river crossing is the KAL-I-TURUQ
near MESHED, which aft 2 r heavy rains is impassable for two
or three days. The river KAL A I-SHOR is bridged but the bridge
is in a state of disrepair and is liable to fail in the rainy season.