Kegiatan Awal Pencerapan Cuaca di Negeri-Negeri Selat, 1820-1940

Early Weather Observation Activities in the Straits Settlement, c. 1820-1940

Abstract

ABSTRAK

Artikel ini membincangkan aktiviti pencerapan cuaca oleh pengkaji Eropah di Negeri-Negeri Selat (NNS) sekitar tahun 1820 hingga 1940. Tumpuan diberikan terhadap tiga isu utama. Pertamanya, faktor pencerapan cuaca dilakukan. Kedua, isu-isu cuaca dan alam sekitar ketika era kolonial. Ketiga, dasar meteorologi kolonial di NNS. Pemerhatian meteorologi yang paling awal diketahui bermula pada tahun 1820 dimana Pulau pinang telah menjadi hub untuk penyelidikan saintifik dan pembangunan kolonial sehingga Singapura menjadi pusat pentadbiran selat pada 1832. British melihat terdapat keperluan dalam isu penerbangan di NNS. Hasil data cerapan cuaca telah digunakan dalam mencorak strategi peperangan dan penerbangan komersial. Antara teknik pencerapan awal yang digunakan ialah, pengukuran secara sporadis dan hanya terdiri daripada beberapa elemen cuaca sahaja iaitu hujan, suhu dan kelembapan yang membentuk ramalan cuaca. Dapatan kajian mendapati bahawa kepentingan pencerapan cuaca dan pengumpulan data meteorologi empayar membawa kepada penubuhan perkhidmatan Jabatan Meteorologi Malaya. Hasil kajian mendapati, berlaku transisi aktiviti pencerapan cuaca di NNS daripada kegiatan pencerapan individu hinggalah kegiatan pencerapan secara terpusat oleh pihak kolonial. Data meteorologi penting kepada pihak kolonal berkaitan hal ehwal kesihatan, pertanian, ketenteraan, penerbangan serta navigasi lautan. Melalui data cerapan ini dapat dilihat berlaku penurunan dalam kes Malaria. Selain itu, terdapat peningkatan dalam ramalan penerbangan. Manakala bagi pertanian telah memperlihatkan penggunaan sistem amaran awal yang dibuat dalam menyesuaikan perubahan iklim. Di samping itu, berlaku peningkatan dalam navigasi iaitu melalui penggunaan Logbook dalam pelayaran.

Kata kunci: Sejarah alam sekitar, meteorologi, kolonialisme, sosioekonomi, navigasi empayar

ABSTRACT

This article discusses the weather observation activities by European researchers in the Straits Settlements around the years 1820 to 1940. The focus is on three main issues. First, the weather observation factor is done. Second, weather and environmental issues during the colonial era. Third, the colonial meteorological policy in Strait Settlement. The earliest known meteorological observations began in 1820 where Pinang Island became a hub for scientific research and colonial development until Singapore became the administrative center of the strait in 1832. The British saw a need in the issue of aviation in Straits Settlement. The results of weather observation data have been used in designing war strategies and commercial aviation. Among the early observation techniques used is, sporadic measurements and only consisting of a few weather elements, namely rain, temperature and humidity that make up the weather forecast. The findings of the study found that the importance of weather observation and the collection of meteorological data in the empire led to the establishment of the Malayan Meteorological Department. The results of the study found that there was a transition of weather observation activities in Strait Settlement from individual observation activities to centralized observation activities by the colonial side. Meteorological data is important to colonists related to health, agriculture, military, aviation and ocean navigation. Through this observational data it can be seen that there has been a decrease in Malaria cases. Additionally, there is an improvement in flight forecasting. While agriculture has shown the use of early warning systems made in adapting to climate change. In addition, there is an improvement in navigation through the use of Logbook in navigation.

Keywords: Environmental history, meteorology, colonialism, socioeconomics, imperial navigation