Jaipur, May 13 (IANS) — Rajasthan is grappling with an intense heatwave as the Meteorological Department issued a red alert for severe heatwave conditions in three districts on Wednesday while forecasting rain and thunderstorms in five others. Barmer was the hottest district on Tuesday, recording a season-high maximum of 48.3°C.
Meteorological records show Barmer had not exceeded 48°C before May 12 in the past decade. The department noted the district had earlier recorded 49.5°C on May 19, 2016, and in 2024 registered 47.6°C on May 24 and 49.9°C on May 27.
The state faces sharply contrasting weather: western districts are enduring extreme heat while parts of eastern and northern Rajasthan saw rain and storm activity driven by a western disturbance. On Tuesday, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Bikaner all reported maximums above 45°C. The disturbance produced evening rains and thunderstorms in Alwar and Bharatpur, hail in parts of Jhunjhunu, and strong winds and dust storms that gave temporary relief in Dholpur. Its effects were also observed in Deeg, Sikar, Churu, Hanumangarh and Sri Ganganagar.
Temperatures across Rajasthan crossed the 40°C mark on Tuesday, with specific readings including Phalodi 46.4°C, Jaisalmer 45.8°C, Jodhpur 44.6°C, Chittorgarh 45.6°C, Kota 44.7°C, Churu and Pilani 44.5°C each, Fatehpur 44.0°C, Jhunjhunu 44.8°C, and Bikaner 45.0°C. Officials said statewide temperatures are running up to six degrees above normal.
In Jaipur, a thunderstorm and rain alert had been issued but the capital remained largely unchanged, with clear skies and hot winds; the maximum reached 43.2°C and the minimum settled at 29.1°C on Tuesday.
The Meteorological Centre warned severe heatwave conditions are likely to persist over the next two days, with red alerts affecting more than six districts and orange alerts for around ten. Authorities have advised people to avoid direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours and to stay well hydrated.
Original Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/barmer-hottest-in-rajasthan-with-483-degrees-celsius-red-alert-issued-for-severe-heatwave-in-3-districts-today
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Publish Date: 2026-05-13 12:02:00
