Calcutta was visited on November 1 by a cyclone, said
to have been worse in its effects than that of October, 1864. The storm began at 11 p.m. and raged till morning, sweeping from N. to S. and N.W. to S.E. with tremendous fury, but fortunately against the tide, thus preventing the storm wave. Some 600 native boats of large size were destroyed, and the destruction of houses was unprecedented. Thirty thousand huts were swept away in Calcutta, and in Jessore every brick house was thrown down. The greatest damage done, however, was to the rice crop, which was in the ear. It is believed in Nuddea, Hooghly, Jessore, and Burdwan half the crop has been lost ; further information will extend the area, and famine is apprehended. Relief Committees have been formed, the Anglo-Indians are giving, as usual, with both hands, and Government proposes to double all subscriptions. The loss of life is estimated at hundreds, 1,285 in Calcutta alone, but the shipping in harbour obtained six hours' warning. The -cyclone, it is clear from detailed accounts, was not so bad as that of 1864; but it destroyed in crops, fruit trees, and houses much more property.
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