A severe cold wave tightened its grip across Rajasthan on Sunday, with temperatures plummeting to sub-zero levels in several districts, causing significant disruption to daily life and raising alarms for the agricultural sector.
Mercury Plummets Across the State
The meteorological centre reported that Fatehpur in the Shekhawati region recorded the state's lowest minimum temperature at a biting -2.0°C. Nagaur was the only other station to drop below freezing, registering -1.0°C. The Jaipur Met office attributed the intense chill to active north-westerly winds sweeping across the region.
Providing little hope for immediate warmth, the forecast indicated a prolonged cold spell. "No major changes in the weather conditions are likely in the coming days," the Met office stated, adding that no significant rise in minimum temperatures is expected immediately.
City-Wise Temperature Dip
While the state capital, Jaipur, recorded a minimum of 9.2°C—nearly a degree above normal—and a sunny daytime high of 22.9°C, a slight dip in both minimum and maximum temperatures is anticipated in the next few days.
Other notable minimums from across Rajasthan included: Pilani at 1.2°C, Sikar at 1.7°C, Churu at 2.0°C, Mount Abu at 2.5°C, and Bikaner at 2.8°C. Western districts saw Jaisalmer at 3.1°C and Barmer at 5.8°C, while Jodhpur recorded 7.5°C. In the southern parts, Chittorgarh was at 8.8°C and Udaipur at 9.8°C.
Impact on Daily Life and Agriculture
The harsh conditions had a tangible impact on residents and farmers. In Fatehpur and Nagaur, people reported water freezing in pipelines during the early morning hours, complicating daily routines.
Farmers, fearing frost damage to standing rabi crops like wheat and mustard, adjusted their schedules. "These are harsh conditions. We have stopped watering the crops in the morning and do it in the afternoon when there's sunlight," explained Sitaram Saini, a farmer from Fatehpur. This precautionary measure aims to prevent ice formation on plants, which can destroy tender crops.
The prolonged cold spell has significantly slowed down morning activities across the colder districts, with authorities and citizens bracing for more days of severe winter weather before any relief arrives.
