Rajasthan started the New Year with cold weather as rain, hailstorms, and dense fog hit the state. Several districts, including Jaipur, Chittorgarh, Ajmer, Kota, and Sikar, experienced intermittent rainfall. Chittorgarh had heavy rain for about half an hour, while Ramgarh in Sikar saw intense showers.
In Bikaner, hailstorms on Wednesday night caused a significant temperature drop, worrying farmers. Jodhpur, Phalodi, Barmer, and Bikaner also faced rain and strong winds, leading to a 2–3 degrees Celsius temperature decrease. Alwar recorded a minimum temperature of 8 degrees Celsius, while Bikaner and Jaisalmer saw 9.6 degrees Celsius.
The Meteorological Department issued rain alerts for Jaipur and Bharatpur divisions, along with cold wave and dense fog warnings for most parts of Rajasthan. Dense fog reduced visibility in Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Sriganganagar. Jaisalmer and Jaipur remained foggy, affecting areas like Amer and Nahargarh.
Despite the harsh weather, tourists visited Jaipur’s attractions. The rain is expected to benefit Rabi crops, but hailstorms have raised concerns among farmers. Rajasthan’s severe winter conditions at the New Year’s start are due to a Western Disturbance impact.
The IMD forecasted dense fog in northern and western Rajasthan from January 1 to January 3, affecting morning visibility. A cold wave is expected in the Shekhawati region from January 2 to January 4, with minimum temperatures dropping to 2–4 degrees Celsius, according to the Meteorological Department. Jaisalmer received its first winter rain on Wednesday.
