Rajasthan has witnessed a dramatic shift in weather patterns as a new Western Disturbance became active across the state on Friday. Amidst the intense heat of Nautapa, where temperatures were consistently hovering between 43 and 45 degrees Celsius, the sudden change has brought significant relief to the residents. The impact of this weather system was felt across several districts, including the capital city of Jaipur, Amer, Gangapur City, Sikar, Dholpur, and Didwana. These areas experienced a combination of fierce dust storms, torrential rainfall, and heavy hailstorms, marking a complete U-turn from the heatwave conditions that had gripped the region for several days.
Heavy Hailstorm in Gangapur City
In Gangapur City and its surrounding rural pockets such as Wazirpur and Meena Baroda, nature displayed an extraordinary sight around 5 PM on Friday. For approximately 15 to 20 minutes, the region was pelted with large hailstones, some reaching the size of lemons or large plums. The intensity of the hailstorm was so severe that a thick white blanket of ice covered the roads, open fields, and the rooftops of houses, while this sudden atmospheric activity led to a noticeable cooling effect; the temperature in the area, which stood at 43 degrees Celsius just a day prior, plummeted to 39 degrees Celsius following the rain and hail.
Temperature Plunge in Shekhawati and Didwana
The Shekhawati region, particularly Sikar district, saw a continuation of the stormy weather that began on Thursday night. Towns such as Fatehpur, Laxmangarh, Khandela, and Shrimadhopur were hit by strong winds that caused structural damage, blowing away tin roofs and uprooting trees in several locations. However, the subsequent heavy downpour effectively neutralized the scorching heat of the Nautapa period. In the Didwana and Ladnun areas, the pre-monsoon showers triggered the most significant temperature drop. The mercury, which was at a blistering 42 degrees Celsius under the bright sun, fell sharply to 35 degrees Celsius. This 7 degree Celsius decline has not only provided comfort to the local population but has also brought joy to the farming community. Agricultural experts suggest that this moisture is like a Sanjeevani or life-giver for the soil, helping farmers prepare their fields for the upcoming Kharif crop season.
Impact in Dholpur and Amer
As evening approached in Dholpur district, the sky was overtaken by dark, heavy clouds, leading to torrential rain. The accompanying high-speed winds caused power outages in many parts of the district as electricity poles and trees were knocked down. Meanwhile, in the historic tourist destination of Amer in Jaipur, the weather turned pleasant in the evening. Following a dust storm, Amer experienced a hailstorm with stones the size of marbles. Tourists visiting the fort and local children were seen enjoying the unexpected change in weather, making the most of the cool atmosphere.
Meteorological Department Issues High Alert
The Jaipur Meteorological Center has issued a highly sensitive alert, stating that the influence of this Western Disturbance is expected to persist for the next two to three days. A special warning was released late at night for the districts of Jaipur, Dausa, Karauli, and Sawai Madhopur. According to the forecast, these regions are likely to face destructive winds reaching speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour, along with intense lightning and further hailstorms. The administration has advised citizens to remain in safe locations and avoid unnecessary travel during this period to prevent any mishaps. The Orange and Yellow alerts remain in place for the next 3 hours as the system moves across the eastern parts of the state, with the warning extending until 12:30 AM.