Bharatpur, Aug. 5 -- Continuous rainfall across eastern Rajasthan for the second consecutive day on Tuesday brought much-needed relief to farmers, reviving hopes for the kharif season after a prolonged dry spell had raised fears of crop losses. The showers, which continued in Bharatpur, Deeg, Karauli, Dholpur and adjoining districts, are expected to improve soil moisture and benefit standing crops that depend largely on monsoon rains.The highest rainfall in the state during the past 24 hours was recorded at Mandawar in Dausa district, where 107 mm of rain was measured. Farmers said the timely rainfall had come as a lifeline for kharif crops, particularly in eastern Rajasthan, where agriculture is largely rain-fed. In districts such as Bharatpur and Deeg, the absence of canal irrigation or other reliable water sources makes monsoon rainfall critical for cultivation. "The crops were beginning to suffer due to the prolonged dry spell. The rainfall over the past two days has replenished moisture in the fields and saved the standing crop," farmers said. The showers are expected to boost the growth of pearl millet (bajra), jowar, guar and oilseed crops, which form the backbone of the kharif season in the region.According to Agriculture Department data, Bharatpur district has the largest kharif acreage among the affected districts, with pearl millet sown over 1.22 lakh hectares and jowar on 15,860 hectares, besides 580 hectares under oilseeds. Deeg has 14,330 hectares under pearl millet, 11,288 hectares under jowar and 58 hectares under oilseeds....