The southwest monsoon has intensified across Rajasthan, with the monsoon trough passing through Bikaner, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to forecast widespread rainfall across the state over the next four days and issue heavy to very heavy rain alerts for several districts.
On Thursday, the IMD issued a heavy rainfall warning for 11 districts, while moderate to heavy showers accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning are likely in several other parts of the state. During the past 24 hours, heavy rainfall was recorded in parts of Beawar and Bhilwara districts.
Jagpura in Banswara recorded the highest rainfall at 167 mm, followed by 120 mm each in Asind and Bagore (Bhilwara), 110 mm in Beawar town, 81 mm in Aklera (Jhalawar), and 73 mm in Jhalrapatan. The heavy rain caused waterlogging in low-lying areas and disrupted normal life in several districts.
Rainfall was also reported from parts of Dholpur, Jaipur, Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Baran districts.
According to the IMD, a cyclonic circulation over northeastern Rajasthan and adjoining areas, along with the monsoon trough remaining in its normal position, has strengthened rainfall activity across the state. Under its influence, active monsoon conditions are expected to persist over most districts for the next four to five days.
The rainfall has also brought down daytime temperatures. Jaipur recorded a maximum temperature of 32.7 degrees Celsius, 2.1 degrees below normal. Maximum temperatures stood at 27 degrees Celsius in Ajmer, 30 degrees in Alwar, 29.8 degrees in Kota, 29.6 degrees in Chittorgarh and 30.8 degrees in Dungarpur. Jaisalmer, at 40 degrees Celsius, and Barmer, at 39.3 degrees Celsius, remained the hottest places in the state.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for very heavy rainfall in Banswara, Baran, Bhilwara, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Dungarpur, Jhalawar, Kota, Pratapgarh, Rajsamand, Salumbar and Udaipur districts. A yellow alert has been issued for Ajmer, Alwar, Beawar, Bharatpur, Dausa, Deeg, Dholpur, Jaipur, Jhunjhunu, Karauli, Khairthal-Tijara, Kotputli-Behror, Sawai Madhopur, Sikar, Sirohi, Tonk, Balotra, Barmer, Bikaner, Churu, Didwana-Kuchaman, Hanumangarh, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Pali, Phalodi and Sri Ganganagar.
The weather department has forecast widespread rainfall, with heavy showers at several places and isolated spells of extremely heavy rainfall across the Kota, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Bikaner divisions around July 26. Eastern and southeastern Rajasthan are expected to witness the most intense rainfall during this spell.
The IMD attributed the active monsoon conditions to the combined influence of the cyclonic circulation over northeastern Rajasthan and the monsoon trough passing through the state, which are drawing continuous moisture from the Bay of Bengal.
The ongoing rainfall is also expected to benefit Kharif crops by providing much-needed soil moisture for agricultural activities across Rajasthan.
(With inputs from IANS)
