Jaipur, Aug 11 (IANS) Heavy monsoon rains continued to disrupt normal life across Rajasthan on Tuesday, with the Meteorological Department issuing an orange alert for six districts and a yellow alert for 17 districts.

Jhalawar recorded extremely heavy rainfall, with Sunel receiving the highest rainfall in the state at 300 mm (12 inches) on Monday. The heavy downpour has caused flood-like conditions in several parts of the state. The Kalisindh and Ahu Rivers are in spate, disrupting connectivity to 10 villages. Rising water levels have also left pilgrims visiting Gagron stranded.

The district administration is monitoring the situation and has issued an alert for villages located along the Ahu River. In view of the heavy-rain warning, schools across Jhalawar district were closed on Tuesday. Continuous rainfall has also led to the opening of gates at the Kalisindh and Chhapi dams.

In Kota, the Nonera-Ebra Dam near Itawa released around 4.15 lakh cusecs of water after 19 of its 27 gates were opened on Tuesday. The water level is being maintained at around 214.50 metres, with the released water flowing into the Kalisindh River. Three gates of the dam were opened for the first time this monsoon season on Monday.

Authorities have urged residents to stay away from the river and nearby areas due to the increased water flow.

Meanwhile, the Bhopal-Indore highway remained closed for around five hours due to heavy rainfall. In Kachrakhedi village of Jhalawar, rainwater entered a government school, leaving around 40 children and teachers stranded.

The administration subsequently launched a rescue operation and evacuated them safely. A 25-year-old man died after being struck by lightning in Nawa, Didwana-Kuchaman, on Monday evening.

The deceased was identified as Vicky Dayma, who worked at a salt factory. He was returning home on a motorcycle with his colleague, Jitendra Narania, when lightning struck. Vicky was taken to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

Minister of State for Revenue Vijay Singh Chaudhary and SDM Hukmichand Rulania visited the Government Sub-District Hospital and assured the bereaved family of assistance under applicable disaster-relief norms.

According to weather experts, the monsoon trough currently extends from a low-pressure system over Bikaner, Datia and northern Madhya Pradesh through Daltonganj towards the Bay of Bengal.

Under the influence of the system, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places, particularly in the Kota and Udaipur divisions, on Tuesday. The spell of heavy rain is likely to continue over the next three days.

Meanwhile, light rain was reported in Chirawa, Jhunjhunu, from around 5.30 a.m. on Tuesday, with 12 mm of rainfall recorded over the preceding 15 hours.

–IANS

arc/dpb