'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From December 1854 to March 1856. (New Issue.) Edited by the Secretary. Volume XII.' [‎15] (126/258)

ON HAILSTORMS IN INDIA— 1851*52.
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were of large size, and must have done extensive damage, had any of the grain been left
standing. At present the atmosphere is charged with electricity, and we may expect a few
more thunderbursts before the weather become settled.—-DeiAi Gazette.
4. — hailstorms at nrxapoRE on the 22nd April 1851. —Lat. 25*42 n., Long. 89-14 e.
The subjoined account of a terrific hailstorm at Rungpore is taken from the Englishman
of the 2nd May: the hailstones are described as being equal in size to ducks’ eggs! “ A cor
respondent at Rungpore says :—‘ Have you heard of the dreadful hailstorm we had hero on
the 22nd of this month ? (April.) It was one of the most terrific ever known in these parts.
It destroyed hundreds of houses, and no small number of trees. Some old ones which had
stood the storms of a hundred years came down. All the fruit in the gardens is destroyed.
The hailstones were as large as ducks’ eggs, and the whole station looks like a wreck.’ ”
6.—HAILSTORM NEAR BANGALORE AT CHICKANALLENHULLY, ON THE 22ND MAY, 1851 Lat 12-5(T
Long. 77-38
Fall op Ice near Bangalore.— -We have been favoured by Mr. R. S. Dobbs, Madras C. S.,
with the following account of an extraordinary fall of hailstones and blocks of ice, which oc
curred on the 22nd May at a place eighty miles from Bangalore,—for which we beg to re
turn him our sincere thanks :—
TO THE EDITOR OP THE BOMBAY TIMES.
Sir,—H aving received an official report from the A mildar of Chickanallenhully of an ex
traordinary fall of hailstones, which appeared to me hardly credible, I had the circumstances
enquired into by a Punchayet, and have now much pleasure in communicating the particulars
as attested by many respectable Natives, for any observations to which they may be considered
entitled by yourself and the scientific portion of the Bombay community.
On the evening of the 22nd May, at Chickanallenhully, eighty miles South-west of Banga
lore, and forty miles west of Toomcoor, there was a heavy fall of rain, accompanied, after the
night closed in, by thunder, lightning, and hail. The hailstones were for the most part about
the size of oranges and limes, which broke the tiles on the roofs of houses, and seriously in
jured cocoanut and beetle-nut gardens, and many fruit trees, crushing many young trees, and
breaking down a few larger ones, but neither men or beasts were injured, all having sought
shelter at the commencement of the rain. The next morning many hailstones as large as
pumpkins and jack fruit were found on the plain, extending three miles south of the town ; and
one immense block, measuring four and a half feet in length, three feet in breadth, and
eighteen inches in thickness, was found in a dry well.
Believe me, yours faithfully, R. 8. Dobbs.
Toomcoor, 5th June, 1851.
6. —-HAILSTORM AT OOMRBE, 7 MILES WEST OP REWAH, ON THE ?TH FEBRUARY 1852.-—Lat. 73-30
Long. 23-10
Since my list of hailstorms, I have only had to record one under my own observation,
and which occurred about 3 p. m. at a place called Oomree, seven miles west of Rewah, on
the 7th Feb. last, the hailstones fully as big as pigeons’ eggs. It did not last long, but was
veryViolent, and tore my tent sadly. This village, Oomree, must have been about the centre,
as it'did not extend to Rewah E , and only about four miles to the westward, as my camels
were about that distance, and had only rain.—-Delhi Gazette.
7. HAILSTORM at kandy (ceylon) ON the 15th march 1852.—Lat. 7.17 n„ Long. 80.36 E.
^ Kandy, (Ceylon) 15th March. —In our last issue we alluded to a fall of hail in Kandy; since
then we have been favoured with the following communication on the subject—“On Monday
(15th' afternoon, at a sudden the Town assumed a dismal appearance, and heavy showers of rain
commenced to fall,accompanied by peals of thunder. The wind blew with such irresistible
fury that the branches of some trees towards tho Lake road were broken down to the ground.
There was also a fall of hail for nearly an hour, and so much was the curiosity it excited that,
crowds of persons wore seen in spite of the rain,busily engaged in picking up the stones; which
were as large as bullets. After a few hours, the rain ceased, thick clouds that were over
spreading the country disappeared, and a fine calm and clear evening followed. Tire night
was quite obscure, and the atmosphere very humid —a star was scarcely to be seen in the
firmament—and lightning was flashing from every quarter, illuminating the country, and
making the smallest object visible. What those sudden vicissitudes arc owing to, is what wo
are at a loss to define.’*