Hailstorms, gusty winds and light rain were reported in parts of Rajasthan in the last 24 hours due to western disturbances, the Meteorological Department said on Friday.
Padampur in Sri Ganganagar district recorded the highest rainfall of 11.5mm, while areas like Bikaner also witnessed hailstorm activity. A forest officer shared a video on X showing a field in Arjunsar completely covered in ice after a hailstorm.
In the photo, the entire field appears to be covered in a white, snow-like blanket. “This is not Kashmir. This is Arjunsar in Bikaner district. View after yesterday’s hailstorm. Hope the government takes care of crop insurance,” he wrote.
According to the local meteorological department, Bikaner recorded a maximum temperature of 30 degrees Celsius on Saturday, April 4, with a 31% chance of rain. The city is likely to see more rain and snowstorms on Saturday, and again on April 7 and 8. A yellow warning has been issued.
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Bikaner is one of the driest areas in the country. Last year, the region recorded a maximum temperature of 40 degrees Celsius on April 3, according to Accuweather. Temperatures will drop this year, accompanied by rain and hailstorms, indicating the impact of climate change.
More rain and hailstorm activity in Rajasthan and northern India in the coming week
The Met Office has forecast thunderstorms, gusty winds and rain in Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Ajmer, Bharatpur, Kota and Udaipur districts on Friday, with hailstorms possible at isolated locations, according to PTI.
Similar weather conditions, including strong thunderstorms, gusty winds and snowstorms in isolated locations, are expected to occur on April 4 in parts of Udaipur, Ajmer, Kota, Jaipur and Bharatpur districts, in addition to Shekhawati district, the report said.
Thunderstorm activity and precipitation will likely decrease slightly on April 5 and 6. However, another strong western disturbance is expected to become active from April 7, which could once again bring severe thunderstorms and rainfall to parts of the state.
IMD forecast that isolated hailstorm activity is also likely to occur over Jammu and Kashmir on April 3, 4, 7 and 8; on Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and eastern Rajasthan on April 3 and 4; and on Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh on April 4; And in western Rajasthan on April 3.
