Rajasthan Weather Alert: Rain & Hailstorms Lash Jaipur, Ganganagar & 7 Districts; Mercury Drops Up to 5°C as Western Disturbance Strikes

A sudden and intense spell of post-monsoon weather has swept across Rajasthan, triggered by the arrival of an active Western Disturbance over northwest India. On Friday morning, October 16, 2026, heavy rain, thunderstorms, and damaging hailstorms battered over seven districts, causing daytime temperatures to plummet by 3°C to 5°C and ushering in an abrupt onset of early winter chill across the desert state.

The sudden meteorological shift impacted capital city Jaipur, Sri Ganganagar, Alwar, Bharatpur, Kotputli-Behror, Sikar, and Karauli. While northern farming belts suffered crop losses due to severe hailstones in Suratgarh, residents in Jaipur and eastern districts woke up to brisk chilly winds, dark thunderclouds, and localized waterlogging.

District-Wise Rainfall: Heavy Downpours from Ganganagar to Alwar

According to data compiled by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Jaipur Centre and district disaster management cells, widespread rain and lightning were recorded across northern, eastern, and central Rajasthan over the past 24 hours:

1. Sri Ganganagar & Suratgarh: Over 2 Inches of Rain and Hail

Northern Rajasthan experienced the brunt of the storm system. Gajsinghpur in Sri Ganganagar recorded 55 mm of rainfall—the highest in the state. In Suratgarh and neighboring rural tehsils, an intense hailstorm blanketed farm fields in white ice pellets, triggering significant agricultural distress as standing cotton bolls were stripped and harvested crops kept in open agricultural mandis were soaked.

2. Kotputli-Behror: Pawta Receives 33 mm

In Kotputli-Behror district, intermittent showers continued from Thursday night into Friday morning. Pawta recorded the highest rainfall at 33 mm, followed by Behror with 21 mm, Kotputli town with 16 mm, Narayanpur with 13 mm, and Neemrana with 9 mm. The prolonged rain caused the daytime mercury to drop precipitously to 21°C.

3. Alwar: 4 Hours of Incessant Morning Downpour

In Alwar district, continuous drizzle began around 3:00 AM and intensified into heavy showers that lasted until 7:00 AM. Several low-lying roads, including the Hope Circus and bus terminal intersections, experienced temporary waterlogging. Tijara recorded 5 mm of rain.

4. Jaipur: Sudden 6:00 AM Downpour & Cold Winds

The state capital witnessed an abrupt weather change at 6:00 AM on Friday when dark thunderclouds rolled in, bringing approximately 20 minutes of brisk, heavy rainfall across Malviya Nagar, Mansarovar, C-Scheme, and Vaishali Nagar. This followed Thursday evening showers where Chaksu received 6 mm and Jaipur Airport recorded 0.5 mm. Strong, cold north-westerly winds swept across the city, forcing morning commuters to pull out light woolen shawls and jackets.

5. Bharatpur & Shekhawati Region

Bharatpur district witnessed substantial cloudburst-like spells: Jurhara recorded 45 mm, Pahadi received 28 mm, Kaman 26 mm, Kumher 22 mm, and Bharatpur city 17 mm. In Sikar district, Patan recorded 10 mm of rain, accompanied by cold gusts that dropped daytime temperatures.

Temperature Contrast: Hanumangarh Chills at 28.1°C, Barmer Sizzles at 40.5°C

The Western Disturbance has split Rajasthan’s climate into stark contrasts:

• The Cold Belt: In northern districts, cloud cover and hailstorms suppressed maximum temperatures dramatically. Hanumangarh recorded the state’s coolest maximum temperature at 28.1°C, closely followed by Sri Ganganagar, Churu, and Kotputli.
• The Heat Belt: Conversely, western desert pockets ahead of the cloud band experienced sweltering pre-disturbance heat. Barmer recorded the state’s highest temperature at 40.5°C, with Jaisalmer and Bikaner hovering in the 38°C–39°C range.
• Southern Rajasthan (Udaipur & Mewar): Southern districts, including Udaipur, experienced overcast skies, isolated drizzles, and breezy conditions, lowering daytime discomfort and dropping minimum temperatures to around 19°C.

Agricultural Impact: Crop Losses in North, Moisture Boon in East

The unseasonal rain and hail have produced mixed outcomes for the state’s agrarian economy:

• Losses to Kharif Harvests: In the canal-irrigated belts of Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, and Suratgarh, the hailstorm dealt a harsh blow to cotton crops, where open bolls were knocked to the ground and discolored. Harvested bajra, guar, and pulses lying out in open agricultural marketing yards (mandis) were soaked due to inadequate covered sheds.
• Boon for Rabi Sowing: In eastern districts like Alwar, Bharatpur, Dausa, and Jaipur, agriculture experts noted that the rain provides crucial residual soil moisture. Farmers preparing their fields for winter Rabi sowing (particularly mustard, gram, and wheat) will save on pre-sowing irrigation costs.

IMD Forecast: Yellow Alert for 7 Districts, Clear Skies by Weekend

The Jaipur Meteorological Centre confirmed that the active Western Disturbance is tracking east-northeastward toward Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh.

A Yellow Alert remains in effect for seven districts on Friday—Jaipur, Alwar, Dausa, Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur, Sikar, and Karauli—warning residents of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, wind gusts reaching 30 to 40 km/h, and isolated hail.

Weather is anticipated to turn dry and clear across western and southern Rajasthan from Saturday, October 17. As cloud cover dissipates, dry and cold northerly winds from the snow-clad western Himalayas will filter into the plains, leading to a further drop in night temperatures to between 16°C and 18°C over the weekend.

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