Rajasthan Weather Alert: Rajasthan Braces for Heavy Rains: Orange Alert for 6 Districts, Yellow for 17

Rajasthan is currently grappling with a significant shift in weather patterns, experiencing widespread rainfall across numerous districts, while this change is attributed to the confluence of two active weather systems originating from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. The continuous downpour has disrupted daily life and raised concerns, particularly among the agricultural community. The Meteorological Department has issued a stark warning for the coming days, placing six districts under an Orange alert and seventeen others under a Yellow alert, indicating varying degrees of heavy rainfall.

Current Rainfall and Affected Regions

The state has witnessed intermittent to heavy rainfall since late night, with Kota being one of the most affected areas, while khatoli in Kota district recorded a substantial 69 mm of rain, leading to waterlogging in low-lying areas. Farmers in Udaipur district, particularly in regions like Kherwara, are facing severe losses as their standing crops, nearing harvest, have been damaged by the unseasonal rains. Other districts, including Pali, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, Tonk, Dungarpur, Ajmer, and Rajsamand, have also reported moderate to light rainfall. The state capital, Jaipur, experienced cloudy skies and intermittent drizzles throughout the morning, bringing a noticeable drop in temperature.

Meteorological Department's Alerts

Radheshyam Sharma, Director of the Jaipur Meteorological Center, provided an update on the prevailing weather conditions, emphasizing the alerts issued for various districts. An 'Orange Alert' has been declared for six districts: Udaipur, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh, Chittorgarh, Bundi, and Kota. This alert signifies a high probability of heavy to very heavy rainfall. In these regions, urging residents and authorities to be prepared for potential disruptions. Also, a 'Yellow Alert' has been issued for seventeen other districts: Baran, Jhalawar, Banswara, Bharatpur,. Karauli, Dholpur, Sawai Madhopur, Dausa, Jaipur, Tonk, Ajmer, Bhilwara, Rajsamand, Pali, Sirohi, Jalore, and Barmer. These districts are expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall, and vigilance is advised.

Impact of Cyclonic Systems

Sharma elaborated on the meteorological causes behind this unusual weather. A depression system formed in the southeast Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression. This system is predicted to strengthen further into a cyclone on October 27 and is expected to make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28. Concurrently, another depression system has developed over the central-eastern Arabian Sea, while the combined influence of these two powerful weather phenomena is facilitating a significant supply of moisture across a large part of India, directly impacting Rajasthan's weather. These moisture-laden winds are the primary reason for the widespread heavy rainfall experienced in the state.

Forecast and Agricultural Concerns

The Meteorological Department forecasts that this spell of rainfall in Rajasthan is likely to persist until October 30, while the continuous downpour, coupled with the potential for hailstorms, has heightened anxieties among farmers. Standing crops, especially early Rabi crops, are particularly vulnerable to this unseasonal rain, while reports indicate that waterlogging in fields is causing crops to rot, raising concerns about a significant decline in agricultural yield. Farmers are appealing to the government and agricultural departments for a comprehensive assessment of the damages and appropriate compensation to mitigate their losses. Disaster management teams have also been placed on high alert to respond. To any emergencies that may arise due to the adverse weather conditions.