Rajasthan Braces for Storms: Orange Alert Issued as Strong Weather System Turns Active

A look at the temperature over the past 24 hours, Barmer was the hottest, with a maximum temperature of 35.1 degrees Celsius. Kota recorded 34, Jodhpur 33.3, Dungarpur 33.3, Jaisalmer 32.9, and Dausa 32.8 degrees Celsius. On Sunday, clouds remained overcast from morning to afternoon in the Kota and Udaipur divisions, but the weather cleared later. Light clouds were visible in Jalore, Sirohi, and Barmer in the evening, although there was no rain.

According to the Meteorological Center, Jaipur, this system, which became active on April 6th, will begin to affect western Rajasthan—Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Barmer, Bikaner, and Sriganganagar—after noon. Rain accompanied by thunderstorms and hailstorms are expected here. The maximum impact of this weather system will be seen on April 7th, when almost the entire state is expected to be overcast and rain is expected in most areas. After April 9th, the system will weaken, and the weather in the state will return to dry conditions.

Weather experts say that such frequent and intense western disturbances are unusual in March and April. Typically, these systems are confined to northern India, but this time, due to moisture from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, widespread impacts are being felt in the northwestern plains.

An earlier western disturbance on April 3rd also caused significant losses to farmers in more than 10 districts of the state. Standing crops like wheat and gram were destroyed by hailstorms. Fields in Balesar and surrounding villages in Jodhpur district were completely destroyed.

In Dausa district, two consecutive days of hailstorms damaged crops in several villages. Vegetable and fruit crops, including tomatoes, suffered significant damage. Furthermore, hailstorms and strong winds in Karauli and Churu districts also affected crops of fennel, wheat, psyllium, and fenugreek. Standing crops fell in the fields, while the harvested crops got wet and spoiled, due to which the worries of the farmers have increased in the Rabi season.