Vehicles move through a waterlogged road during monsoon rain at JLN Marg in Jaipur, Rajasthan on Tuesday (August 11). Photo: PTI
Heavy rain batters Rajasthan, Jaipur waterlogged; Kota Expressway tunnel shut
Bassi records 227 mm rainfall; Udaipur opens Udai Sagar dam gates as IMD forecasts more heavy rain over parts of the state
Jaipur, Aug 12 (PTI) Heavy rainfall has affected several parts of Rajasthan in the past 24 hours, disrupting normal life, causing waterlogging in low-lying areas, and impacting traffic in multiple cities, including Jaipur, according to officials.
Bassi in Chittorgarh recorded the highest rainfall of 227 mm from Tuesday morning to Wednesday morning, while very heavy rainfall was recorded in Baran and Udaipur, according to the Meteorological Department.
Heavy rain was also reported at isolated places in Bhilwara, Jhalawar, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Pratapgarh, Banswara, Rajsamand and Nagaur districts.
In Jaipur, several areas, including Ajmeri Gate, the walled city, the railway station, Bais Godam Circle, Rambagh, and Tonk Phatak, experienced significant waterlogging due to the heavy rain. Traffic slowed considerably, leading to congestion at various locations, with vehicles, including cars and motorcycles, navigating through the waterlogged roads.
In Kota, the Mukundra tunnel on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway was closed to traffic after approximately one foot of water accumulated inside. Efforts were launched to pump the water out, and vehicles approaching the tunnel from the Mumbai side were diverted to NH-52.
Traffic congestion was also reported near Dara ki Naal on the Kota-Jhalawar section of NH-52, with long queues of vehicles forming on both sides.
In Udaipur, the water level in the Udai Sagar dam rose above 21 feet, nearing its full capacity of 24 feet. Due to steady rainfall in the catchment area, the Water Resources Department opened two gates of the dam by one foot each on Wednesday afternoon.
Several houses were inundated in Banswara following the rainfall.
In Jodhpur, rainfall in areas such as Chopasni Housing Board, Shastri Nagar, Kamla Nehru Nagar, and Ratanada's Nehru Park affected road movement but provided relief from the humid conditions.
The weather department said a low-pressure area persisted over northwest Madhya Pradesh, while the monsoon trough was passing through Bikaner and the low-pressure system. Under their influence, rainfall activity is expected to continue in several parts of the state.
On August 13, moderate rain with isolated heavy showers is likely in parts of Jaipur, Bharatpur, Ajmer, Kota, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Bikaner divisions, it said.
From August 14, rainfall activity is expected to decline in most areas of Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Ajmer divisions, though moderate to heavy rain may still occur in parts of Bikaner, Jaipur, Bharatpur, and Kota divisions.
From August 15, rainfall activity is likely to decrease over most parts of the state except northern and northeastern Rajasthan, the department said.
The department has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by winds gusting at 40-50 kmph and light to moderate rain at isolated places in Jaipur, Dausa and Ajmer districts and adjoining areas.
Similar weather conditions, with winds gusting at 30-40 kmph and light to moderate rain, are likely at isolated places in Hanumangarh, Sri Ganganagar, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Kotputli-Behror and Khairthal-Tijara districts.
A yellow/orange alert has been issued for parts of southeastern and eastern Rajasthan, with the department warning of heavy rain during the next 48 hours. PTI