'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎278] (411/458)

278 PvEPOET ON THE HEAVY
called the Mugimnee Nye, one succeeded in making Ins escape, and the
other two were drowned; one woman was drowned by the upsetting of
a boat in which she and her family were escaping from their submerged
village,
13. —These are the only eases of loss of life directly attributable to
the late storms and rain. A lamentable number of children are drowned
every year from being allowed to play about the banks of the rivers, and
canals, while their mothers are away at w r ork, and the higher the inunda
tion the greater the number of deaths from this cause.
14. —The effect of the rain on the general health of the population
cannot yet be ascertained as the season of fever is only commencing,
but I should anticipate that more benefit will accrue from the abundant
harvest and plentiful supply of food (both fish and grain) to the health
of a people accustomed to live almost in the water, than injury from
any unusual prevalence of fever. Some sickness may perhaps be caused
by the use of damaged grain before the Khurreef crops ripen.
15. —Cholera prevails in the districts at present, but cannot be at
tributed to the rain. It has followed the same upward course as it did
in the atumn of 1846, when there was no rain.
16. —Communication in the Sehwan districts during the hot weather
is principally carried on in 1 oats, except in the higher tracts west of the
Munchar lake. In this, the roads were impassable so long as the hill-
streams continued to flow.
17—Referring to that portion of the letter under reply calling for
any practical suggestions arising out of the experience of the past sea
son, I would observe that the principal injury has occurred to the
gathered grain and to the crops. The first object therefore is the pre
servation of these.
18. —The grain most injured was that lying in the Butfcai enclosures
for division between the Government and the cultivators. The Rubbee
crops are cut in April, and those not assessed in Buttai had been housed
long before the rain commenced. As Buttaidars and their establish
ments would not be remunerated for their trouble in Buttaying smaller
divisions than are now made, great delay must always occur in the re
moval of Buttaied grain, and the only remedy is the abolishment of the
system altogether.
19, —It would not be worth while to build any expensive granaries to