Unseasonal Rains and Hailstorms Batter Rajasthan, Damaging Crops and Disrupting Life
A robust western disturbance continued to lash Rajasthan for the second consecutive day on Friday, unleashing widespread unseasonal rainfall and severe hailstorms across the state. This intense weather event has sharply driven down temperatures, creating near-winter conditions in several districts and causing significant damage to standing crops, raising alarm among the agricultural community.
Sharp Temperature Drop and Unusual March Conditions
Daytime temperatures plummeted by approximately 11°C on average, with districts like Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh, and Bikaner experiencing conditions reminiscent of winter. According to the Jaipur Meteorological Centre, most locations recorded maximum temperatures below 30°C and minimums under 20°C, a highly unusual pattern for the month of March. Jaipur and its adjoining areas received mild to moderate rainfall starting around 3 AM on Friday, contributing to a three-day spell of February-like chill that has surprised weather experts, as dense fog and hailstorms are rare during this season.
In Jaipur, the minimum temperature was recorded at 16.1°C, about 2.2 degrees below normal, while the maximum reached only 26.0°C. The city also received 13.3 mm of rainfall. Meteorological officials emphasized that such a significant dip, particularly with daytime temperatures falling below 30°C in March, is uncommon and noteworthy.
Crop Damage and Agricultural Concerns
The hailstorms have inflicted substantial damage on agricultural lands, with hailstones—some as large as chickpeas—reported in districts like Tonk and Dholpur. These storms have adversely affected moong and other rabi crops, heightening concerns among farmers about potential further losses if the adverse weather persists. Similar hail activity was observed in agricultural areas of Deeg, compounding the distress for the farming community.
Disruption Due to Fog and Rainfall Data
Dense fog added to the disruption, especially in Sriganganagar, where visibility dropped below 10 meters, severely affecting morning traffic and daily activities. Rainfall data indicated significant precipitation across the region, with Nokha in Bikaner recording 25 mm of rain. Several areas within the Jaipur, Bikaner, and Jodhpur divisions received between 5 to 10 mm of rainfall, underscoring the widespread nature of this weather event.
Weather Forecast and Future Outlook
The Meteorological office has forecast mainly clear skies for Sunday, offering a brief respite. However, they have issued a warning about another western disturbance expected to affect the region from March 21, indicating that residents and farmers should remain vigilant for potential further weather-related challenges in the coming days.
