The weather across Rajasthan has taken a sharp turn, and the calm is not expected to return any time soon. A cluster of weather systems firing up together has triggered dust storms, thunder and rain across large parts of the state, and the Met department is urging people to stay alert over the coming days. In some pockets, wind speeds could climb to between 60 and 70 kilometres per hour, enough to disrupt everyday life.
Why the Weather Suddenly Shifted
It is not one factor but several working in tandem. According to the IMD, a weather trough stretching from Punjab to Bihar, passing through Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, is currently active. Alongside it, an upper-air cyclonic circulation is sitting over south Punjab, southeastern Pakistan and southwest Rajasthan. A western disturbance is parked over north Pakistan and the Jammu and Kashmir region, while another upper-air cyclonic circulation over the Ladakh region is also feeding into the system. Together, these have pushed moisture into the state, sharpening the activity of storms, thunder, lightning and rain.
Warning Sounded for 15 Districts
The Met department expects this changed mood to persist for the next three days. It has issued an alert for storms, lightning and rain in more than 15 districts of both eastern and western Rajasthan. On the brighter side, the onset of pre-monsoon activity could keep the weather pleasant across western districts as well as eastern Rajasthan, a shift expected to benefit farmers and ordinary residents alike.
Sand Whirlwinds and Daytime Darkness
The most dramatic impact was felt in Sriganganagar. Winds blowing at 50 to 60 kilometres per hour turned day into near-darkness, and with visibility dropping sharply, motorists had to switch on their headlights to drive. A light drizzle accompanied the storm, lifting the mood of the weather. In the Sardarshahar area of Churu district, a massive sand whirlwind was seen rising, while Sikar was blanketed by a thick cloud of dust. In the Kotputli-Bahror belt, a strong whirlwind kicked up first, followed soon after by rain. In Alwar, strong evening winds offered people some relief from the heat.
What Tuesday's Forecast Looked Like
According to the Jaipur Meteorological Centre, Tuesday carried a strong likelihood of heavy thunder, storms and moderate to heavy rain across parts of the Bikaner, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Ajmer, Jodhpur and Kota divisions. The department made it clear that this run of winds at 40 to 50 kilometres per hour, along with rain, could continue for the next four to five days.
Districts in Eastern Rajasthan to Watch
In eastern Rajasthan, the districts of Ajmer, Alwar, Banswara, Baran, Beawar, Bharatpur, Bhilwara, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Dausa, Deeg, Dholpur, Dungarpur, Jaipur, Jhalawar, Jhunjhunu, Karauli, Khairthal-Tijara, Kota, Kotputli-Bahror, Pratapgarh, Rajsamand, Sawai Madhopur, Sikar and Tonk may see thunder, lightning and winds gusting at 40 to 50 kilometres per hour. The capital, Jaipur, is likely to stay partly cloudy with thunder, lightning and gusty winds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour. Jaipur's maximum temperature is expected around 37 degrees Celsius and the minimum near 26 degrees Celsius.
Strong Winds Warning for Western Rajasthan
For western Rajasthan, a warning has been issued for thunder, lightning and gusty winds of 60 to 70 kilometres per hour in Bikaner, Churu, Didwana-Kuchaman, Hanumangarh, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Phalodi and Sriganganagar. Met department data show that the state's highest temperature on Tuesday was logged in Phalodi at 42.6 degrees Celsius. By 5:30 pm, relative humidity across the state ranged between 20 and 60 per cent. On the alert front, the IMD has issued an orange alert for Ajmer and Bhilwara, and a yellow alert for Churu, Sikar and Jaipur.
Key Advice for Farmers
Agricultural weather experts have advised farmers to be especially cautious. The department says ripe crops, farm produce, grain and other commodities left out in the open should be moved to a safe place at once or covered with tarpaulin, to guard against damage from rain and strong winds. People in general have also been advised to keep away from open spaces, trees and electricity poles during bad weather.
