Jaipur, July 9 (IANS) The southwest monsoon remained active across Rajasthan on Thursday, triggering widespread rainfall across most parts of the state.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Bharatpur, Dholpur, Baran and Jhalawar, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall, while a yellow alert was sounded for 29 districts.

According to the weather office, intense rainfall activity is likely to continue across eastern and southern Rajasthan till July 10, before gradually weakening from July 11

The yellow alert covers most of the state, including Jaipur, Ajmer, Tonk, Bundi, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh, Udaipur, Rajsamand, Dungarpur, Banswara, Sirohi, Pali, Nagaur, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Churu, Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, Kota, Alwar and Dausa. The alert advises residents to remain cautious as thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rainfall may occur in isolated areas. Only Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jodhpur and Jalore are outside the alert zone.

The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Bharatpur, Dholpur, Baran and Jhalawar, urging people to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from rivers, drains and waterlogged areas, and follow advisories issued by local authorities.

During the past 24 hours, eastern and southern Rajasthan recorded the highest rainfall. Bayana (Bharatpur) and Mandrayal (Karauli) received more than 84 mm of rain, while Bhadesar and Nimbahera in Chittorgarh recorded nearly three inches of rainfall.

Several areas in Dausa, Dholpur, Karauli, Alwar and Chechat in Kota district also experienced widespread showers. Continuous rainfall led to waterlogging in several cities and towns, particularly in Alwar, Karauli, Chittorgarh and Bharatpur, causing traffic disruptions and inconvenience to commuters. Moderate to heavy rain also continued in parts of Udaipur and Sirohi until late evening on Wednesday.

The persistent rainfall has brought much-needed relief from the heat and humidity, with daytime temperatures dropping across most districts. Maximum temperatures remained below 35 degrees Celsius in Jaipur, Alwar, Tonk, Chittorgarh, Sirohi, Dausa, Pratapgarh, Jhunjhunu, Ajmer and Bhilwara.

Jaipur remained under cloudy skies throughout the day, recording a maximum temperature of 33.1 degrees C and a minimum of 26.4 degrees C. Jaisalmer was the hottest place in the state, with the mercury touching 41.6 degrees C. The Meteorological Department expects the current spell of widespread rainfall to continue through July 10 before monsoon activity gradually weakens from July 11 onward.

–IANS

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