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The greater part of the population affected is probably
without food and with little chance of getting any for
some days. To increase the distress a great fire broke
out in the city on the evening of the 13th instant and
burned all that night and the following day.
life and property will be enormous.
The loss of
The Concessions on Shameen are under water to a
depth of some four or five feet and the ground floor of
nearly every house is completely flooded. The Consular
houses, which are among the oldest on the Concession, have
suffered to a greater extent than others. A part of the
Constable's quarters has already fallen.
The front of
the Consul-General's house has sunk and threatens to
collapse at any moment and there are serious cracks in the
Vice-Consul's house. None of these buildings are safe and
have had to be evacuated.
Thanks to the strenuous
efforts of my staff, who were working for three days up
to their waists in water, the archives and records of the
office have been placed out of reach of the water and will
be safe, provided that the office builling does not
collapse.
I shall report to His Majesty's Office of Works in
due course as to the condition of the Government buildings.
Yesterday