Jaipur, Aug 7 (IANS) Continuous monsoon showers across several parts of Rajasthan disrupted normal life on Friday, with heavy rainfall causing waterlogging, flooding of homes and markets, and a sharp drop in temperatures. Authorities have also issued an alert for 50 villages in Bharatpur district as the Baretha Dam, the district's largest reservoir, nears its full capacity.
The water level at the Baretha Dam has risen to 26.60 feet, against its full capacity of 29 feet. Officials said that if the water level reaches 27 feet, the dam gates may be opened at any time to regulate the inflow.
As a precaution, the administration has issued an alert for 50 villages situated along the Kukund River, urging residents to remain vigilant and avoid venturing near low-lying areas.
In Jaipur, rain that began late Thursday night continued intermittently until around 11 a.m. on Friday, leading to waterlogging in several low-lying areas. The showers also brought down daytime temperatures, providing relief from the heat.
Shrimadhopur town in Sikar district witnessed heavy morning rainfall, inundating major markets, with water levels rising to three feet. Significant rainfall was also reported from Neem Ka Thana and nearby areas.
Heavy rain in Sadulpur city in Churu district caused water accumulation of up to four feet in several localities. Water entered homes, while a sewerage line collapsed in Ward No. 1, disrupting civic services.
In Rajakheda town of Dholpur district, roads in several residential colonies were submerged after heavy rainfall. Officials also issued an alert as the Parvati River continued to rise, raising concerns that some villages could become temporarily cut off. Continuous rainfall over the past two days caused structural damage in several places.
Large portions of two houses in Nadbai (Bharatpur) collapsed due to persistent rain. No casualties were reported.
Earlier, a two-storey house in Ghilawati village under the Kaman area of Deeg district also collapsed following heavy rainfall. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
R.S. Sharma, director, IMC Jaipur, said, "An upper-air cyclonic circulation persists over southwestern Uttar Pradesh and adjoining areas. Another cyclonic circulation has developed over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining parts of eastern India and is likely to intensify into a low-pressure area during the next 24 hours. The monsoon trough currently passes through Sri Ganganagar and Delhi. During the past 24 hours, heavy to very heavy rainfall occurred at isolated places in the districts of Alwar, Bharatpur, Jaipur, Deeg, Dholpur, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, and Sikar. The highest rainfall of 158 mm was recorded at Pahadi (Deeg)."
"Moderate rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy spells is likely over parts of the Bharatpur and Jaipur divisions, while light to moderate rainfall is expected at isolated places in the Kota, Ajmer, and Bikaner divisions," he said.
"Monsoon activity is expected to remain active over most parts of eastern Rajasthan during the coming week. Moderate to heavy rainfall is likely at several places in the Bharatpur, Jaipur, Kota, Ajmer, and Udaipur divisions between August 8 and 10, with isolated locations in eastern Rajasthan likely to receive very heavy rainfall during this period. Rainfall activity is also expected to increase over parts of Western Rajasthan, particularly in the Jodhpur and Bikaner divisions, between August 8 and 10, with moderate rainfall at many places and isolated heavy falls likely. Rainfall activity is expected to gradually decrease across most parts of Rajasthan from August 15," he said.
Meanwhile, rainfall over the last two days has raised the water level of the Jagar Dam in Karauli district by around 1.5 feet.
The widespread rainfall led to a significant fall in temperatures across eastern Rajasthan. The maximum daytime temperature dropped by as much as 6 degrees Celsius in parts of the state. The maximum temperatures recorded were -- Dausa: 28.1 degrees Celsius, Alwar: 27.8 degrees, Sirohi: 27.6 degrees, Pratapgarh: 28.7 degrees, Dungarpur: 30.6 degrees and Udaipur: 31 degrees.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast continued rainfall in several parts of Rajasthan over the coming days, and district administrations have advised residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert and follow official advisories.
--IANS
arc/dpb
