Jaipur/Jaisalmer: A sudden spell of rain, strong winds and intense hailstorm swept across parts of Rajasthan Friday, severely impacting crops and bringing temperatures down across the state. Met office said that similar conditions are likely to continue in Jaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur and Bharatpur divisions of the state till April 7.Jaisalmer’s Nachna region was among the worst hit, where heavy rain and large hailstones battered fields, damaging standing and harvested crops of cumin and isabgol. Farmers said the crops were either ready for harvest or already cut, making them highly vulnerable. Hailstones knocked cumin seeds off plants, while isabgol suffered extensive damage due to moisture. Nearby Pithodai village witnessed hail for nearly 15 minutes in the morning, while several areas reported fields and roads covered with a white layer of ice.The weather system affected multiple districts. In Bikaner, areas like Arjansar and Lunkaransar saw heavy rain and hail, with strong winds uprooting trees and covering fields in ice. In Ajmer and Beawar, gusty winds damaged tents, uprooted trees and blew away tin sheds.Similarly, around 5.45 pm, Jaipur witnessed a heavy dust storm followed by rainfall and hailstorm. Many places in western Jaipur, including Jhotwara, Kalwar Road, Sirsi and Bindayaka, witnessed hailstorm.Rainfall was also recorded in districts of Nagaur, Sikar, Didwana-Kuchaman and Jalore. The widespread rain and hail led to a noticeable drop in both maximum and minimum temperatures, providing temporary relief from heatwave conditions.According to weather experts, the change is attributed to successive western disturbances, which have introduced moisture. Rain, thunderstorms and hail are likely to persist till April 7 or 8, keeping temperatures below normal and ruling out heatwave conditions in the state till around April 10.
