'Notes on Persian Seistan' [‎31v] (67/142)

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notes on peesian sbistan.
As the summer gales temper the heat and make a temperature ot 105°
quite bearable indoors without a punkah or other artificial means of cooling the
air so the winter winds cause a temperature of 26° or 28 to be more cold
in effect than the low temperatures in the hills to the north. Englishmen,
who had travelled from Meshed in December and January of an exceptionally
severe winter, stated that they had not felt the bitter cold, either in Meshed
itself or in the hills during their journey south, that they had experienced
since arriving in Seistan. 0 . . .
These cold gales play havoc amongst the ill-fed and poorly-clad feeistams,
and many cases of deaths from exposure are met with.
It would be advisable, therefore, to bring sufficient poshteens to serve out to
all troops likely to be employed on night
Poshteens. duty>
The Bad-i-zamistan, like the Bad-i-sad-o-bist-roz, also blows invariably
from nearly due north ; but is less persistent
Bad-i-zamistan, or winter wind. than the latter, lasting usually for either three
or seven days at a stretch, followed by another spell after a few days’ interval.
The summer gales, although they undoubtedly render the climate more
healthy and prevent the malaria, which
Bad-i-sad-o-bist-roz, effect on would otherwise arise from the broad expanse
healtl1 - of shallow swamp, which almost surrounds
Seistan in the hot weather, is very trying to Europeans who have lived for
any length of time in the country.
‘ The ceaseless howling of the wind day and night, entirely preventing, as
it does, outdoor recreation, undoubtedly has an effect upon the nerves, which
was noticeable among the Europeans, and even many natives of India, who
had spent more thm one summer in Seistan.
There are two short periods of about six weeks each, in November and
December, and April and rMay, during which
Spring and autumn. the hea viest gales do not blow, hut even then
there are frequent days when the wind would be considered violent elsewhere
than in Seistan.
The summer gales, and to a lesser extent those of the winter also, would
probably prove a factor to be reckoned with
wind as a factor in military in the event of military opeiations in Seistan.
operations. qhey invariably blow, as already stated, from
practically due north, from an attack from which direction we are likely to be
defending Seistan, and would certainly impede the effectual use of rifle lire in
that direction. The dust caused by the wind is considerable, and would be
much increased if men were posted behind earthworks.
The dust caused by the movement of troops would screen to a certain
^ ^ ^ extent a force attacking from the north, and
Screening effect of dust. i • i
mechanicai means of increasing it migut
perhaps be employed with effect.
Signalling stations would have to be taken up at very close distances,
„ . owing to the haze caused by the wind and
Effect on signalling. dust making it impossible to see for more
than a few miles. It is improbable that flags could be employed for sig
nalling during the summer gales.
It would be a matter of considerable difficulty to keep troops under
Effect of wind on tents. c ?“ vas . d « rin S the summer months, espe-
dally in the western parts ot Seistan, wneie
the wind is strongest, owing' to its violence carrying away the tents, This