After enduring a long spell of scorching heat and heatwave conditions, the people of Rajasthan are finally getting some relief. Several powerful weather systems have switched on over the state at the same time, turning the weather around quickly. The latest bulletin from the IMD's Jaipur centre says a Western Disturbance is currently sitting as a trough within the mid-tropospheric westerly winds. On top of that, a monsoon trough line stretching from north Rajasthan all the way to Bihar, and a cyclonic circulation parked over north Haryana, are directly shaping the weather across the entire state.
The combined effect of these three systems is clearly visible. Many parts of eastern and western Rajasthan are seeing sudden thunder, intense lightning, thunderbolts and dust storms with rain. Districts like Bharatpur, Karauli, Dholpur and Tonk have turned especially aggressive.
Temperatures fall sharply, bringing relief from the heat
Over the past 24 hours, the state's highest maximum temperature was logged in Barmer at 40.8 degrees Celsius. But the storms and rain that began late in the evening pushed temperatures down fast. In Churu, the maximum slid 5.4 degrees Celsius below normal to settle at 36.2 degrees Celsius, while Sikar recorded 35.5 degrees Celsius, which is 3.8 degrees Celsius below normal. The weather department has warned that similar storm, dust storm and lightning conditions will continue for the next few days.
Conditions are also turning fully favourable for the Southwest Monsoon to advance further. That is why a fresh round of heavy downpours is very likely in the last days of June and the first week of July.
Orange alert for Churu and Shekhawati
For Churu and the surrounding Shekhawati belt, the weather department has issued an orange alert for intense thunder, lightning and storms. Sudden strong winds of 40 to 60 kilometres per hour and dust storms are expected here. Some areas could also see hail along with light to moderate rain. In the last 24 hours, Churu has already recorded 8.0 mm of rain and Jhunjhunu 13.0 mm, giving local residents major respite from the severe heat.
Yellow alert for Jaipur and nearby districts
The mood of the weather has changed completely in the capital Jaipur as well as in Kotputli, Behror, Dausa and Alwar. A yellow alert has been issued for these districts. Under its influence, Jaipur and nearby areas could see sudden strong winds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour, dust storms and light to moderate rain. Because of this shift, Jaipur's maximum temperature has dropped to 38.9 degrees Celsius.
Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli and Tonk face the biggest threat
The weather department has issued its most serious, severe-intensity warning for Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli and Tonk. Extremely strong and gusty winds of 60 to 80 kilometres per hour are forecast in these areas. Intense thunder, lightning strikes, thunderbolts and hail also raise the risk of damage to crops and mud houses. The department has clearly advised people in these districts to avoid travelling and stay in safe places until the weather returns to normal.
