Rajasthan gets relief from rain

Jaipur, Mar 14 (UNI) Reeling under hailstorms over the past three days, Rajasthan today got relief from rain as the weather turned normal with the sun beaming across the state.

Mr S S Singh, director, Met department, Jaipur, told UNI the western disturbance responsible for the inclement weather has passed over and the weather is expected to become normal within a day or two. Only some places may witness partly cloudy skies.

Pilani in Jhunjhunu district remained the coldest place in the state today mapping 9.5 degree Celsius.

Meanwhile Dholpur recorded 4.6 mm rains, Sawai Madhopur 2 mm and some other places witnessed trace rains over the past 24 hours.

The rains over the past few days have resulted in a drop of 2 to 4 degree Celsius at many places in the state. Ganganagar recorded 11.2 degree Celsius, Churu 12.2, Jaipur 13.4, Bikaner 13.5, Jaisalmer and Ajmer 14.2, Udaipur 14.4, Barmer 15, Jodhpur 15.8, Dholpur 16, Sawai Madhopur 18, Kota, Jhalawar and Bundi 18.4 degree Celsius.

Jaipur, Alwar, Sawai Madhopur, Dausa, Jhunjhunu received rains and hailstorms yesterday, which destroyed their crops. At least 250 lambs and sheep perished and many birds were also killed.

A labourer died after being buried under the debris of a mosque pillar in Jaipur's Topkhana Hazuri area. The rains resulted in the pillar giving away. The labourer's body was extracted yesterday from the debris.

Meanwhile, agricultural experts say crops spread over four lakh hectares in 22 districts have been destroyed in the rains.

At least 80 to 100 percent of crops like wheat, gram, Aesopgul, mustard, jeera and coriander have been damaged.

UNI