Heavy showers quench thirst of Rajasthan; rail, road traffic affected

Heavy showers lashed many parts of Rajasthan on Thursday bringing a sigh of relief for the state which was reeling under intense heat while other parts of the state which were facing a drought-like situation are likely to get showers in the coming days.

However, the incessant rains also affected train services and disrupted road traffic.

Sikar recorded the highest 12 cm rainfall in last 24 hours followed by Bhuhana, 11 cm, in Jhunjhunu. Neem Ka Thana town received 10 cm rainfall while Kotputli, Sanganer Tahsil and Sambhar of Jaipur received 9 cm rainfall each. Bansur tehsil of Alwar also recorded 9 cm rainfall.

Water logging was also reported in many parts of Sikar. 

District Collector C.R. Meena also sought help from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Deputy Commandant.

The district received around 219 mm rain till 11 a.m. in the morning, and water logging was reported in different areas. Hence, boats and water pumps should be sent to the district at the earliest, he said.

Jaipur district, between 8.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m., recorded around 2.2 cm of rainfall while Churu in the same duration received 6.5 cm rainfall.

Meanwhile, the data of water resources department showed that the water level in Rajasthan dams was 33 per cent of its total capacity as on July 25. The water level in all the dams was 4,286.16 million cubic metres (Mcum) till Thursday. 

With heavy rains, in the last 24 hours, the water level in these dams increased by 7.54 Mcum.

Officials were fearing drought conditions due to lesser amount of rainfall received in July as compared to normal monsoon.

In the eastern Rajasthan, Jaipur, Alwar, Baran and Tonk had witnessed lesser rainfall (-20 per cent or less) than normal monsoon till Wednesday, said IMD Director Shiv Ganesh.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has warned of cloudy sky with thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rainfall in many parts of the state including Jaipur in the next 24 hours.

According to the forecast, Sikar, Alwar, Ajmer, Kota, Karauli, Jaipur, Jhunjhunu, Jhalawar, Rajsamand, Tonk, Baran, Bharatpur, Bundi and Sawai Madhopur are likely to witness heavy rainfall. 

While Churu, Hanumangarh, Barmer Bikaner, Pali, Jalore and Jodhpur districts would receive heavy rains over the next few days.

Parts of western Rajasthan that are on the verge of drought due to scanty rainfall may get showers in the coming days, said the MeT Department. IANS