Jaipur, July 29 (IANS) Monsoon activity intensified across Rajasthan on Wednesday, bringing heavy rainfall to several parts of the state.
Jaipur witnessed a spell of heavy rain in the afternoon, while markets and low-lying areas in Rajakhera town of Dholpur district were inundated. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Yellow Alert for rainfall in 22 districts and forecast that the active monsoon phase will continue until August 2.
According to the Meteorological Department, isolated areas in the Udaipur and Kota divisions are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on July 30 and 31.
Heavy rain lashed Jaipur for more than 35 minutes, leading to waterlogging on roads in several areas, including Tonk Road, Rambagh, the Walled City (Chardiwari), Ajmeri Gate, 22 Godam, and C-Scheme.
Commuters, especially two-wheeler riders and pedestrians on Jagatpura Road, faced major inconvenience as many sought shelter at bus stops. In Dholpur, intense rainfall flooded markets and low-lying localities, disrupting normal life.
Meteorological Centre Jaipur Director, Radheshyam Sharma, said a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, currently located off the West Bengal-Odisha coast, has strengthened the monsoon. The monsoon trough has shifted towards this system, resulting in an active monsoon phase across Rajasthan.
The weather department expects widespread rainfall across the state over the next three days, with heavy to very heavy showers likely in isolated pockets of the Udaipur and Kota divisions.
On Tuesday, several districts, including Jhalawar, Bharatpur, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Tonk, Chittorgarh, and Bhilwara, received between 1 and 4 inches of rain, with Tonk recording the highest rainfall.
During the past 24 hours, Tonk recorded 101 mm of rainfall and Jhalrapatan (Jhalawar) received 87 mm. Heavy rain was also reported in Bharatpur, Sikar, Bhilwara, Alwar, Chittorgarh, Nagaur, Karauli, Kota, Rajsamand, and Sawai Madhopur.
In Baseri and Saipau of Dholpur district, heavy rainfall damaged a few houses, though no casualties were reported. The rainfall brought temperatures down by 2–5 degree Celsius in districts including Jaipur, Chittorgarh, Sikar, Pilani, Alwar, Churu, Karauli, and Dausa.
However, northern Rajasthan remained relatively dry for much of the day, with Sri Ganganagar recording temperatures above 41 degree Celsius before evening showers brought some relief. In Sikar, a Yellow Alert has been issued for the next two days.
Rainfall is expected to increase during the first week of August, with normal monsoon conditions likely across the Shekhawati region.
In Udaipur, the district has recorded 205 mm of rainfall against the normal 271 mm, making it 24 per cent below normal so far this season.
Heavy to very heavy rain is forecast for July 30–31. In Ajmer, the district has received 308.7 mm of rainfall since June, about 46.5 per cent above normal.
Moderate to heavy rainfall is likely over the coming days. Alwar meanwhile witnessed intermittent rain since Wednesday morning has lowered temperatures and turned the Aravalli hills lush green.
The Meteorological Department has advised residents in the alert districts to remain cautious, especially in low-lying areas and regions prone to waterlogging, as the active monsoon spell is expected to persist over the coming days.
–IANS
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