Rajasthan Battles Destructive Hailstorm, Agricultural Losses Mount
A sudden and violent spell of rain, accompanied by powerful winds and an intense hailstorm, swept across extensive parts of Rajasthan on Friday. This severe weather event has caused significant damage to agricultural crops and led to a sharp decline in temperatures throughout the state.
Widespread Crop Devastation in Key Regions
The meteorological office has indicated that similar adverse conditions are likely to persist in the Jaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Bharatpur divisions of Rajasthan until April 7. Among the worst-affected areas was the Nachna region in Jaisalmer, where heavy rainfall and large hailstones battered agricultural fields, inflicting severe damage on standing and already harvested crops of cumin and isabgol.
Farmers reported that the crops were either ready for harvest or had already been cut, rendering them highly vulnerable to the storm's impact. The force of the hailstones knocked cumin seeds directly off the plants, while isabgol crops suffered extensive damage due to excessive moisture absorption. In the nearby Pithodai village, hail persisted for nearly 15 minutes during the morning hours, with several areas reporting fields and roads blanketed by a thick white layer of ice.
Multiple Districts Grapple with Storm Aftermath
The disruptive weather system affected numerous districts across Rajasthan. In Bikaner, localities such as Arjansar and Lunkaransar experienced heavy rain and hail, with strong winds uprooting trees and covering fields in ice. The districts of Ajmer and Beawar witnessed gusty winds that damaged temporary tents, uprooted trees, and blew away tin sheds.
Similarly, around 5:45 PM, Jaipur encountered a heavy dust storm followed by substantial rainfall and a hailstorm. Many localities in western Jaipur, including Jhotwara, Kalwar Road, Sirsi, and Bindayaka, reported hailstorm activity. Additional rainfall was recorded in the districts of Nagaur, Sikar, Didwana-Kuchaman, and Jalore.
Temperature Drop and Weather Outlook
The widespread rain and hail resulted in a noticeable drop in both maximum and minimum temperatures across the state, providing temporary relief from the prevailing heatwave conditions. According to weather experts, this significant change is attributed to successive western disturbances, which have introduced considerable moisture into the region.
Rain, thunderstorms, and hail are likely to continue until April 7 or 8, maintaining temperatures below normal levels and effectively ruling out any heatwave conditions in Rajasthan until approximately April 10. This extended period of cooler weather offers a respite but comes at a high cost to the agricultural sector, with farmers facing substantial losses from the unseasonal and destructive hailstorm.
