Parts of Rajasthan experienced light to moderate showers on Friday, but the rainfall provided little respite from the intense cold wave conditions gripping the state, according to the Meteorological Department.
Rainfall Fails to Lift the Chill
The showers were triggered by an active western disturbance. However, the marginal increase in minimum temperatures at a few locations was insufficient to counter the biting cold. Jaisalmer remained the coldest place in Rajasthan, recording a low of 4.6 degrees Celsius.
Frost-like conditions were reported in border and rural areas, where ice formed on vehicles and agricultural fields. This has sparked concerns among farmers about potential damage to key winter crops like cumin, gram, and mustard.
Widespread Cloud Cover and Scattered Showers
Cloudy skies prevailed over large parts of several districts following the rain, including Jaipur, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Alwar, Sriganganagar, and Bikaner. Light and intermittent rainfall was recorded in many areas.
The rainfall measurements reported by the Met Office were as follows:
- Jhunjhunu: 5 mm
- Pilani: 4.2 mm
- Laxmangarh and Fatehpur in Sikar: 2 mm each
- Parts of Alwar district: Around 1 mm
Scattered showers were also noted in several locations across Sri Ganganagar and Bikaner districts.
State Records Chilly Temperatures
Other parts of the state also shivered through a cold day. Key minimum temperatures recorded included:
- Sirohi: 4.9°C
- Vanasthali: 5.0°C
- Dausa: 5.3°C
- Lunkaransar: 5.6°C
- Mount Abu: 5.7°C
- Sri Ganganagar: 5.8°C
Phalodi and Bikaner both recorded 6.2°C, while Ajmer registered 7.8°C and Bhilwara 8.4°C.
In the capital, Jaipur experienced a cold morning with dense cloud cover. The city's minimum temperature was 9.2°C, which is about 1.2 degrees above the normal for this time of year. The maximum temperature reached 18.4°C. The cloud cover cleared by the evening, with north-westerly winds taking over.
The weather office has forecast partly cloudy conditions across Rajasthan. It has also issued a warning that minimum temperatures are likely to dip further on Saturday due to weak western disturbances, indicating that the cold spell is set to continue.
