'Military report on Tehran and adjacent Provinces of North-West Persia (including the Caspian Littoral)' [‎90r] (184/610)

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but in the country fresh falls occurred beforeit had time to melt.
In 1920-21 snow lay from December to early March, but the
snow-fall in this year was quite exceptionally heavy.
At Zinjan snow usually lies for several weeks every wintei.
Above 7,000', except on slopes which face south, it lies
throughout these months with a depth varying from 1 ^ to -0
according to the altitude and to the action of the wind in form
ing drifts, and many of the passes are blocked. Winter travel
ling is most severe, and for large bodies of troops almost im
possible, while in early spring during the thaw open undula mg
country becomes waterlogged and inches, almost feet, eep in
mud, into which animals flounder up to their girths.
The melting of the snows in the higher mountain ranges from
March to June causes spates of the Kizil Uzun anc o a e
Elburz rivers. r „
By the beginning of July, owing to the absence of clouds, tne
intense sun has thawed the snow off all the ranges excep
patches on the Northern slopes of Damavand and of -LaKnr-i-
Sulaiman. The Southern slope of Damavand, despite
elevation of 18,600', usually retains no snow.
The prevailing winds follow the direction of the mountain
system from N. W. to S. E., but in the_intermediate plains from
Zinjan to Tehran a wind called “ Bad-i-Meh _ . ,
wind”) frequently blows from the N. W. _ In wm er .
coming from the snowy ranges, is icy, and in summer, CS T
after rain in the Caspian provinces, it is cool anc re re s . g
causes a rapid fall in temperature.
In winter, notably in Khamseh, bitingly cold gales are .
quent. They are also much feared on the expose P a ^ , .
routes over the Elburz, and overwhelm trave ers y
intense cold and drifting snow.
Throughout the summer there is usually a breeze except in
the early mornings, which before 10 a.m. often seem the hottes
period of the day. Strong winds blow up clouds ° (
B.—Water Supply.
Most springs are admirably pure, wholesome aJ ^
give rise to clear swift brooks. In this connec • 5 ^ 55
vile. The Persian expression for latrine is within
».e.,“ the water’s edge,” and these streams are often fouledwith^
a few yards of their source. However pure wa er T ^
it should consequently be drunk with caution une .
chlorinated,or known to have been drawn straig 1 c