"ملاحظات ميدانية: بلاد الرافدين. هيئة الأركان العامة في الهند. فبراير ١٩١٧". [و‎‎١‎٣‎٦] (٣٥٠/٢٧٨)

263
Route No. 35— contd.
BI LAND
ume III;
lume II:
Major
P. Wil-
br, 23rd
U traffic
is pass-
ir A. T.
i pairs.
i parts
iionally
te im-
is&le to
[6 ot tie
wit and
md leaves
or a point
E. E. E.
itable for
■airy light
icessary.
oint 6 to
)ut 8 miles
0 awards from Sab’eh only in very occasional stretches is
the road fit for "heavy lorries, one being a stretch of 6 miles
North of Sab’eh to Qajariyah.
Water .—In the first stage, water is abundant but is slightly
brackish. In the remaining stages, good and plentiful water
can be obtained from the Karun river.
Supplies .—None w T orth considering, except on reaching the
vicinity of Ahwaz.
Grazing and Fuel .—In February, March and April there is
fair grazing for horses, except in the first two stages, but during
the remainder of the year there is none. Where horse grazing
is mentioned in this report, it is to be understood as referring
only to the Spring months. Camel grazing and scrub fuel
are, throughout most of the stages, fairly abundant.
Camping Grounds .—Unlimited space is available, except at
the 1st stage, where there is only room for one Infantry Divi
sion or one Cavalry Brigade. The first camping ground is
under water in the flood season or after heavy rain.
Communications .—A telegraph line runs from Muham-
mareh along the right bank of the Karun river to Dair Island,
where it crosses the river and follows the left bank to Bandar
Nasiri and Ahwaz.
If river transport other than steamer is used, the length
of the marches and the positions of camping grounds depend
on the rate at which the boats can move, which with a head
wind is very slow. The total distance by river is 138 miles,
of which Basrah to Salmaneh Island is 36 miles. The banks
of the Karun river are firm and mehelas can moor alongside.
The Karun is at its lowest from the middle of October to
the end of November and during this period steamers of 3£
feet draft sometimes have difficulty in navigating the difficult
20 miles reach below Ahwaz. The river is tidal up to Ismaili
in the 5th stage, but sea water never reaches it.
Climate .—The floods on the Shatt-al-’Arab begin to rise in
March. They obtain their maximum about May 1st, and
remain high throughout April, May and June, when they begin
to subside. The Karun river is at its highest in March and
April when the riverside tracts are liable to flood.