Rains, hailstorm ravage Rajasthan, temps dip

Jaipur, March 13 (UNI) Crops spread over thousands of hectares in many districts of Rajasthan have been lost completely due to unseasonal rains over the past few days, mainly under the influence of western disturbance and cyclonic winds.

At least 14 children sustained burn injuries after lightening struck them yesterday in Pali district. They have been admitted in the hospital.

Meanwhile, Pilani in Jhunjhunu district recorded the highest rain yesterday, mapping 19.6 mm.

The state capital also had to face raging storm and hailstorm accompanied with high speed winds. Trees in many parts of the city were uprooted. Power also went off due to trees falling on electric wires. Many areas in the city were blacked out for over three hours.

Indian Airlines and Spice Jet flights' departures were effected.

A tree fell on the engine of Sikar passenger train. However it did not cause any damage except to the engine lights.

The weather office said the western disturbance centred on Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan resulted in the cyclonic storm leading to an absolute turn around in the weather.

Hailstorm was witnessed in 10 districts including Jaipur, Alwar, Sikar, Barmer and Dholpur.

Agricultural experts say hailstorm has damaged wheat, gram, mustard, jeera and aesopgul crops. Even cauliflower, gourd and onion crops have also suffered heavy damage.

The weather department recorded 16.7 mm rain in Bikaner, 18.4 in Bharatpur, 14.2 in Churu, 10 in Jaipur, 9.8 in Ajmer, 4 in Jodhpur, Dholpur, 3.9 in Jaisalmer, 2.7 in Ganganagar and 1 mm in Barmer.

The temperatures have also dipped due to rains. The state capital witnessed a fall of 1 degree Celsius from yesterday , mapping 13.8 degree Celsius today.

The temperature in Bikaner was 13.2, Ganganagar 13.7, Ajmer and Dholpur 14.2, Pilani 13.5, Jaisalmer 14, Bharatpur 15.2, Churu 15.7, Barmer 16.6, Jodhpur 17.2, Udaipur 17.6 , Kota and Jhalawar 19.4 and Rawatbhata 22.2 degree Celsius.

The weather office says the influence of western disturbance has receded but some parts of northern Rajasthan will receive rains with thunder showers over the next 24 hours.

UNI