Rajasthan is experiencing a severe heatwave, with the Meteorological Department issuing a red alert for intense heatwave conditions in three districts. Barmer recorded the highest temperature of the season at 48.3 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest place in the state.
Data reveals that Barmer had not seen temperatures exceeding 48 degrees Celsius before May 12 in the past decade. The district had recorded 49.5 degrees Celsius on May 19 in 2016, and last year, temperatures reached 47.6 degrees Celsius on May 24 and 49.9 degrees Celsius on May 27, 2024.
The state is expected to witness a mix of weather conditions, with scorching heat in western districts and rain activity in parts of eastern and northern Rajasthan. While western districts like Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and Bikaner saw temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius, rain and thunderstorms were reported in districts such as Alwar and Bharatpur.
Hailstorms hit parts of Jhunjhunu, while strong winds and dust storms brought relief in Dholpur. The impact of the weather disturbance was also felt in Deeg, Sikar, Churu, Hanumangarh, and Sri Ganganagar. Temperatures soared above 40 degrees Celsius across the state, with some areas experiencing temperatures up to six degrees higher than normal.
The Meteorological Department has cautioned residents to avoid direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours and stay hydrated. In Jaipur, despite a thunderstorm and rain alert, the weather remained hot and dry. The maximum temperature in Jaipur reached 43.2 degrees Celsius, with clear skies and hot winds prevailing throughout the day.
Severe heatwave conditions are expected to persist for the next two days, with red alerts issued for over six districts and orange alerts for around ten districts.
