Rajasthan reels under intense heatwave, red alert issued in three districts

IANS May 23, 2025 328 views

Rajasthan is experiencing an intense heatwave with temperatures soaring up to 47.3°C in Sri Ganganagar. The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for three districts and forecasts thunderstorms in 19 regions. While some areas saw slight temperature drops, the heat remains a significant challenge for residents. Tragically, a house collapse during a thunderstorm in Chittorgarh resulted in two fatalities, highlighting the extreme weather conditions.

"Temperatures continue to challenge the resilience of Rajasthan's residents" - IMD Weather Report
Jaipur, May 23: Rajasthan continues to grapple with an intense heatwave, with large parts of the desert state experiencing scorching temperatures. However, scattered thunderstorms in a few areas have provided some relief from the relentless summer heat.

Key Points

1

Heatwave conditions persist across 16 Rajasthan districts

2

Sri Ganganagar records highest temperature at 47.3°C

3

Thunderstorms provide temporary relief in multiple regions

4

Tragic house collapse during storm in Chittorgarh

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heatwave conditions are expected to persist in 16 districts on Friday, with no immediate relief in sight. A red alert has been issued for Jaisalmer, Sri Ganganagar, and Bikaner, while thundershowers are forecast in 19 districts, including Jaipur and Kota.

On Thursday, Sri Ganganagar recorded the highest maximum temperature at 47.3 degrees Celsius, which is 4.8 degrees above normal. Jodhpur recorded the highest minimum temperature at 31.7 degrees. Seven cities in Rajasthan witnessed temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius, with Ganganagar experiencing the highest temperatures for the second consecutive day, surpassing 47 degrees Celsius again.

In contrast, temperatures fell slightly in some regions. In Jaipur, the maximum temperature dropped by 2 degrees Celsius to 42.8 degrees Celsius. In Alwar, the temperature fell by 5 degrees to 40 degrees, in Chittorgarh 42.4 degrees, in Udaipur 38.3 degrees, while Bhilwara recorded 41.5 degrees Celsius.

Thursday afternoon thunderstorms brought a shift in weather across Jhalawar, Baran, Bundi, Kota, Chittorgarh, and Bhilwara. Strong winds and rain offered some relief from the scorching heat.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall in the Sadas area of Chittorgarh led to the collapse of a house wall. The tragic incident resulted in the death of Shaari alias Shanti (50), wife of Magana Bhil, and Suraj (7), son of Suresh Bhil. Raju alias Ratan (12), son of Kailash Bhil, was also seriously injured. All victims were rushed to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Bhilwara, where doctors declared Shaari and Suraj dead.

The weather changed around 5.30 p.m. in Bhilwara with a sudden storm followed by rain. The downpour brought much-needed relief from the intense heat and humidity. However, strong winds also caused trees to fall in several areas, and rain continued in parts of the district into the evening. Shahpura in Bhilwara registered the highest rainfall of 33 mm in the last 24 hours, said officials.

Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
This heatwave is unbearable! 😓 My relatives in Bikaner say they can't even step out after 10 AM. The government should arrange more cooling centers and distribute ORS packets in vulnerable areas. Stay safe everyone!
R
Rahul S.
The tragedy in Chittorgarh shows how extreme weather affects the poorest the most. We need better housing infrastructure in rural areas. On another note, those thunderstorms in Kota were a godsend yesterday - brought the temperature down by almost 10 degrees within minutes!
A
Anjali M.
As someone who grew up in Rajasthan, this isn't normal summer heat anymore. 47°C in May is terrifying! Climate change is real folks. We need long-term solutions like better urban planning with green spaces and water conservation measures.
V
Vikram J.
The IMD forecasts could be more localized and timely. In Jaipur, we got the thunderstorm alert just 30 mins before it hit. More advanced warning could prevent accidents and help farmers protect their crops. Otherwise good coverage of the situation though.
S
Sunita R.
My heart goes out to the families who lost loved ones in Chittorgarh. These kaccha houses can't withstand sudden storms. Government should have a special monsoon preparedness scheme for such vulnerable structures. Meanwhile, stay hydrated everyone - nimbu paani and chaas are lifesavers!
H
Harsh D.
The temperature variation across Rajasthan is crazy! 47°C in Ganganagar vs 38°C in Udaipur - just shows how geography affects weather patterns. Tourists should avoid western Rajasthan right now. Stick to hill stations like Mount Abu if you must visit.

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Tags:
Rajasthan Heatwave India Meteorological Department Sri Ganganagar Extreme Heat Weather Alert Thunderstorms