Heavy rainfall in parts of Raj likely this week: IMD
Jaipur, Aug. 27 -- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday warned that Southern and South-Eastern Rajasthan are likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next three to four days, while the rest of the state will see light to moderate showers. The forecast comes even as rains continue to cause flooding, crop damage, and infrastructure collapse in several districts.
In Udaipur's Jhadol region, the Wakhal river overflowed on Tuesday, submerging a culvert on the Vas-Narsinghpura link road and cutting off connectivity between the two villages. In Bhilwara's Raila town, a classroom of the Government Primary School in Janata Colony collapsed around 9 am. Principal Ehsan Ali said the room had already been sealed due to its dilapidated condition, and no classes were being held there.
Meanwhile, three people drowned, on late Monday night after their car skidded off the road and fell into a drain swollen due to heavy rains near Lakoda village in Udaipur.
Rural areas of Behror in Kotputli-Behror also witnessed heavy rainfall with thunder, flooding farmlands and damaging millet crops. In Pratapgarh, the body of a youth swept away in a swollen seasonal stream on Monday was recovered 22 hours later.
In Sawai Madhopur's Jadawata village, three days of continuous rainfall left behind devastation. Villagers said the overflow of Surwal dam forced floodwaters into the area, creating an 80-foot-wide and 50-foot-deep crater in farmlands, cutting off the village from the district headquarters.
In Kotputli continuous rainfall have raised concerns among farmers in the region, where millet crops are ready for harvest and the first picking of cotton is due. This year, millet was sown on 125,000 hectares in the district, while guar covered 7,500 hectares and cotton 7,000 hectares. Farmers fear that the prolonged rains could damage all these standing crops.
The weather office has issued an orange alert for Jalore, Sirohi, and Udaipur, while Barmer, Pali, Rajsamand, Dungarpur, Banswara, Churu, Jhunjhunu, and Alwar are under a yellow alert.
Schools remained closed on Tuesday in Jaipur, Alwar, Dausa, Nagaur, Udaipur (excluding the city), Didwana-Kuchaman, Tonk, and Bundi. Schools in Tonk and Bundi will also remain shut on August 27.
Since Monday, eastern Rajasthan received light to moderate showers with isolated heavy rainfall, while western parts received rain with thunder and lightning. The highest rainfall was recorded in Deogarh, Rajsamand, at 80 mm.
Three days of relentless rainfall have turned the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve into a picturesque yet mysterious landscape of roaring waterfalls, brimming ponds, and waterlogged trails. The jungle, normally alive with the growls of tigers and the rustle of deer, now echoes primarily with the sound of gushing water.
A senior forest official said the rainfall have altered the prey-predator dynamics in the reserve that is home to nearly 75 tigers and cubs. "The grass on the mountains attract deer during rainfall. Naturally, the tigers follow them. Most tigers prefer the hilltops during this season. It is also the peak time for mating," he said.
The official further said that the reserve received rainfall equivalent to a month's quota within just two to three days. "The land didn't get enough time to absorb the water, leading to overflowing ponds and streams across the forest," he said.
The core zones 1 to 5 remain closed as usual during this season, and for the past four days even the outer zones have been off-limits. Tourists who had booked safaris hoping for a glimpse of tigers were instead greeted with flowing waterfalls, mist-shrouded trails, and the serene, rain-soaked beauty of the jungle....
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