Severe dust storm was observed in Rajasthan and parts of North India including Haryana, Punjab, Delhi-NCR, and west Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday. The widespread dust storm activity was followed by rain/thundershowers at some places and isolated hailstorms in few pockets. In Rajasthan, dust storm claimed 5 lives in Bharatpur, two in Dholapur and two in Bikaner.
A cyclonic circulation was prevailing over parts of North Rajasthan and neighbouring Haryana with the trough extending across Delhi-NCR and west Uttar Pradesh when the dust storm took place. These places were also experiencing hot conditions with heat wave in a few pockets which together triggered the activity.
Almost entire Rajasthan barring the southern parts observed severe dust storm on Tuesday. Places like Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bharatpur recorded widespread dust storm activity. Parts of Punjab and Haryana also witnessed the same weather pattern.
Bikaner experienced strong winds at a speed of 130 kmph late in the afternoon. The activity had started early in the day at around 1:30 pm. Strong winds were blowing in the region during the forenoon hours itself. The activity kept gaining strength and travelled to other parts of the state.
The city also received 14 mm rain accompanied by hailstorms. The maximum temperature in most parts of Rajasthan observed an immediate drop of 10 to 15 degrees. Earlier, the maximum temperatures in most parts of the state were either settling in the high 30s or 40s, but after the dust storm activity, the day temperatures have dropped significantly.
The minimum temperatures have also registered a sharp decline after Tuesday’s intense weather activity in Rajasthan. The minimum in Jaipur has dropped from 32.1°C on Tuesday to 21.6°C on Wednesday. Also, in some parts of Rajasthan, the visibility had dropped down to zero. The intensity of the dust storm was so severe that several trees were uprooted and houses damaged in the state.
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