Rajasthan's Rain Havoc: 22 Dead, CM Bhajanlal Sharma Assesses Damage

Eight people lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Rajasthan on Monday, raising the death toll to 22 over the past two days. Officials predict heavy rainfall will persist in the eastern part of the state for the next four to five days.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited several areas of Jaipur, including Jawahar Circle, Malviya Nagar, Sanganer, and Dher ke Balaji, on Monday evening to assess the situation. The continuous downpour has caused severe waterlogging and disrupted normal life.

Flood-Like Conditions and Evacuations

Heavy rainfall has led to a flood-like situation in Karauli and Hindaun. Overflowing dams and rivers have exacerbated the problem. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have evacuated around 100 people to safer locations, according to Bhagwat Singh, Joint Secretary of the Disaster Management Department.

In Jaipur, roads were inundated, causing significant traffic jams. Schools in Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Bharatpur, Dausa, and Karauli remained closed on Monday due to the heavy rainfall warning issued by the meteorological department.

Rescue Operations Amidst Heavy Rainfall

An SDRF team rescued 25 devotees trapped at Trinetra Ganeshji temple in Ranthambore, Sawai Madhopur. The operation began on Sunday night and concluded on Monday morning. SDRF commandant Rajendra Singh stated that 17 devotees were rescued by 9:30 pm on Sunday. The operation resumed on Monday morning, rescuing six more devotees.

The bodies of five individuals swept away in Jaipur's Kanota dam on Sunday evening were recovered on Monday. Additionally, two people drowned while bathing in Galta Kund. A 30-year-old man was also killed after being washed away by strong currents at Moroli dam in Dausa.

Political Reactions and Statements

Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot claimed that over 25 people have died in rain-related accidents across the state. In a social media post tagging Sharma, Gehlot said, "Over 25 lives have been lost due to heavy rains and related accidents across the state. It is unfortunate that in such a disaster situation, the public does not know whether the Disaster Relief Minister of the state is in office or his resignation has been accepted."

Agriculture and Disaster Relief Minister Kirori Lal Meena recently announced his resignation following the BJP's disappointing performance in the Lok Sabha elections. However, his resignation has not been officially accepted yet. Meena plans to tour affected areas like Mahua, Weir, Bayana, Hindaun, Karauli, Gangapur, and Sawai Madhopur on Tuesday to assess the damage and provide necessary guidelines to the administration.

Rainfall Statistics and Future Predictions

The Jaipur Meteorological Centre's spokesperson indicated that heavy rainfall activities are likely to continue in parts of Jaipur, Bharatpur, Kota, and Ajmer divisions for the next four to five days. Some parts of Bikaner division may also experience moderate to heavy rainfall during this period.

From June 1 to August 12, Rajasthan recorded 40% more rainfall than usual. The normal rainfall for this period is 283.9 mm; however, this year it has been 397.8 mm. Western Rajasthan recorded 56% more rainfall than normal, while eastern Rajasthan saw a 31% increase.

Impact on Daily Life

The continuous rain has severely impacted daily life in many districts of Rajasthan, including Jaipur. In the last 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on Monday, Jaipur recorded 118 mm of rainfall. Ramgarh Pachwara in Dausa received 258 mm of rain, while Sapotra in Karauli saw 207 mm.

Chief Minister Sharma released a video stating that he is constantly monitoring the situation. "For the last few days, there has been continuous rain in the state. In many places, the rain has broken previous records," he said. He urged people to avoid taking baths in rivers or other water bodies and to stay away from electric poles and wires for safety reasons.

The state government is actively working with rescue teams to ensure the safety of affected individuals. "The safety of the affected people is our topmost priority," Sharma emphasised.