Rajasthan faced a tumultuous day as heavy dust storms and rainfall swept through various parts of the state, resulting in tragic fatalities and widespread destruction. The adverse weather conditions, attributed to active western disturbances and northerly winds, left a trail of devastation, claiming the lives of three individuals, including a mother and her child, in separate incidents in Jhunjhunu and Sikar districts.
The tragic incidents occurred as an 11-year-old girl and her 45-year-old mother lost their lives when a tree uprooted during the storm and collapsed on their family in a village near Khetri. Meanwhile, in Kasli village, Sikar, a 57-year-old woman succumbed to injuries sustained when a portion of her house collapsed amidst the heavy dust storm. These unfortunate events underscore the perilous nature of extreme weather conditions and highlight the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness measures.
Dust storms, accompanied by winds reaching speeds of nearly 40 kmph, wreaked havoc across Jaipur, Sikar, Dausa, and Jhunjhunu, exacerbating the challenges faced by residents already grappling with the scorching summer heat. The sudden onset of rainfall further compounded the situation, disrupting normalcy and causing inconvenience to commuters navigating the city’s roads.
The Meteorological Office has attributed the abrupt weather changes to active western disturbances and upper air cyclonic circulation, forecasting similar conditions to persist in northern and eastern regions of the state over the next 24 hours. Dholpur registered the highest temperature in the state, recording a scorching 44.5 degrees Celsius, while Jaipur experienced a warm morning followed by a blistering afternoon, with temperatures peaking at 42.4 degrees Celsius.
Despite the challenging weather conditions, the Meteorological Office offers a glimmer of hope, predicting respite from the heat in the coming days due to anticipated rainfall and dust storms. As Rajasthan navigates through these meteorological challenges, authorities and citizens alike are urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of adverse weather events and ensure the safety and well-being of all residents.
