A powerful Western Disturbance triggered widespread dust storms, rain and hail across Rajasthan on Saturday, disrupting normal life in several districts. Sandstorms swept through Churu, Hanumangarh, Sri Ganganagar, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Nagaur, Didwana-Kuchaman, Alwar and Sikar, with wind speeds reaching up to 102 kmph.
Ajmer and Jodhpur witnessed rain accompanied by strong winds, while rural parts of Jaipur experienced rainfall and hailstorms. The sudden weather change plunged many areas into daytime darkness, forcing motorists to switch on headlights and slowing traffic movement.
The storm system originated over Hanumangarh and Sri Ganganagar, where initial wind speeds of around 56 kmph were recorded before intensifying further. Strong winds uprooted trees and disrupted electricity supply in several districts. In Chomu near Jaipur, a dramatic incident was captured on CCTV when a tin shed attached to a shop near the Rampura culvert was ripped off by the storm and hurled onto a service road.
The shed, measuring nearly 15 feet by 27 feet, narrowly missed 65-year-old Ramsharan Sharma, who escaped injury by a matter of feet. The weather shift brought much-needed relief from the intense summer heat but also caused localised damage.
In Ratangarh, Churu district, lightning struck a rooftop water tank, damaging it and causing a section of the terrace wall to collapse. Bhilwara witnessed rain after a dust storm during the night, leading to waterlogging on roads in parts of the city. Rawatbhata in Chittorgarh district experienced a sudden dust storm around 8.10 p.m., sharply reducing visibility as thick clouds of dust engulfed the area.
Pali district also faced severe disruption, with dust storms forcing vehicles to slow down and pedestrians to seek shelter. Power outages were reported in several areas. In Jaisalmer's Ramdevra and nearby villages, dust storms struck around 6.40 p.m., leaving markets and streets deserted.
Tin sheds were blown away in several places before rainfall followed. The Meteorological Department issued a Red Alert for heavy rain and strong winds in Phalodi, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Didwana-Kuchaman, Sikar, Jaipur, Ajmer, Beawar, Tonk and Dausa, warning of winds reaching up to 80 kmph.
Orange Alerts were issued for Balotra, Kotputli-Behror, Alwar, Khairthal-Tijara, Sawai Madhopur and Karauli. Satellite imagery on Saturday also showed the storm system advancing rapidly across Rajasthan.