Rajasthan's weather is turning sharply once again. A fresh weather system over the state, combined with a zone of cyclonic winds, has set off a spell of thunderstorms and rain stretching from the desert districts to the cities of the plains. In its latest bulletin, the Jaipur centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and yellow alerts, warning residents that conditions could grow even more aggressive over the next few hours. Thick clouds hang over most of western and eastern Rajasthan, bringing major relief to people battling the intense heat and the heatwave. The state's highest maximum temperature was recorded at Sri Ganganagar at 42.5 degrees Celsius.
According to meteorologists, the southwest monsoon is advancing rapidly across the eastern and central parts of the country, and rain activity over eastern Rajasthan is likely to increase sharply in the final days of June. A western disturbance is currently active over Haryana and the surrounding region, while a trough line, accompanied by mid-level westerly winds, runs from southeast Rajasthan to the Arabian Sea. The combined effect of this trough and the cyclonic circulation is driving a noticeable drop in the state's temperatures, and the storm-and-rain cycle is expected to intensify in the coming days. There is a strong chance that rainfall will pick up across many parts of the state in the first week of July.
Cool Winds and Heavy Clouds Over Jaipur
Cool winds have been blowing since morning across the capital, Jaipur, and its surrounding areas. Under the yellow alert, Jaipur, Dausa and Alwar districts could see isolated thunder and lightning along with sudden gusts of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour. Over the past few hours Jaipur recorded a maximum temperature of 38.9 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 27.6 degrees Celsius, along with 1.2 mm of rainfall. By evening, light showers in several parts of the city had turned the weather pleasant and pushed up the relative humidity.
Orange Alert for Bikaner and Churu Divisions
Western Rajasthan's Bikaner division is witnessing nature at its fiercest. The weather office has placed Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Churu and Jhunjhunu districts under an immediate orange alert. These areas face a strong likelihood of dust storms blowing at 40 to 60 kilometres per hour, with heavy thunder and lightning strikes. Churu and Jhunjhunu could also see hail at a few places, along with moderate to intense thunderstorms. Strong winds and dust have sharply cut visibility, disrupting road traffic.
With crops at risk of damage, the weather centre has firmly advised people not to take shelter under trees. During bad weather, residents have been told to avoid standing near large trees, electricity poles, mud houses or walls, to drive with extra caution, and to keep electrical appliances unplugged.
