Part 13 - Monsoon delays and river crossings between Menoka, Diwangiri, and Satsalor (June 1924)

1 page

SUMMARY:
Heavy rain (5.4 inches in 24 hours) kept the party from moving, with the river too full to cross, leaving them stuck in a bungalow. They remained at Menoka on 20–21 June due to continued rain, then on 22 June forded the river many times to reach Diwangiri after a difficult 9-mile march with unloaded mules, and on 23 June continued toward Satsalor in hot, damp conditions. Note indicates the page was sent from Pankabari on 28 June 1924.

CONTENT:
C.I. Sent from Pankabari 28.6.24

24 hours up to 8.0 am there were 5.4 inches of rain. So we could not hope to move. Even now, 5.0 pm, the river is far too full for us to attempt a crossing. So here we sit in someone else's bungalow cursing our luck.

20th June. Menoka. Still here: 3 1/2 inches rain last night. Looking better this evening.

21st June. Menoka. Still here. 2.3" rain. Foul weather.

22nd June. DIWANGIRI. 9m. 207.6° Temp 77° = 2305' uncorrected for temp.
C.I. -88 Crossing river to Diwangiri
Last night for the first time there was little rain, and as it looked as if it might be fine, we started off at 9.30, determined to get through somehow. There was heavy water still, but the weather held, with one shower, till we reached Diwangiri, which was in soaking wet cloud. We must have forded the river 25 times or more, and at least 6 times that meant all loads off and humped by coolies. The distance is 9 miles and we took 8 1/2 hours. In winter this track is easy, but in the monsoon it is very bad, and may be impassable for weeks. Had we not unloaded the mules, all loads would have been soaked through. Diwangiri is perched on the top of a ridge. A good camp, but very hot and damp.

C.I. -100. Mules crossing river above Diwangiri
23rd June. SATSALOR 10m. 206.8° Temp 90°. = 2727' uncorrected.