Rajasthan Heat Returns as Monsoon Withdraws

Heat Concentrated in Western Rajasthan

The heat was particularly intense in western Rajasthan, with temperatures also crossing 40 degrees Celsius in Jodhpur (41.7 degrees), Bikaner (41.6 degrees), Churu (40.5 degrees) and Nagaur (40.3 degrees), reflecting a fairly widespread pattern of elevated temperatures across the western portion of the state.

Significant Departures From Normal

The maximum temperature in Barmer was 6.9 degrees above normal, while Jaisalmer recorded a departure of 6.1 degrees. Jodhpur was 5.8 degrees above normal, and Bikaner registered 4.2 degrees above normal, figures that highlight just how far these temperatures deviated from typical late-September conditions.

A More Moderate Reading in Churu

Churu recorded a temperature of 3.6 degrees above normal. In contrast, Jaipur recorded a maximum temperature of 34.6 degrees, remaining below the normal level, illustrating a notable contrast between the intense heat in the state's western districts and comparatively milder conditions in Jaipur.

Confirming the Decade-High Readings

The Meteorological Department said Thursday's temperatures in Barmer and Jaisalmer were the highest recorded for September in the past 10 years. Jaisalmer's previous September high during this period was 43.5 degrees in 2023, while Barmer's previous high was 42.2 degrees, also recorded in 2023, giving a clear point of comparison for just how significant this latest spike has been.

A Largely Dry Outlook Ahead

Meanwhile, weather conditions are expected to remain largely dry across Rajasthan for the next two to three days, suggesting the current heat is likely to persist in the near term before any meaningful change in conditions.

Isolated Rain Expected Later in the Week

According to the Jaipur Meteorological Centre, light to moderate rain is likely at isolated places in parts of the Bharatpur and Jaipur divisions and the Shekhawati region between September 27 and 29, offering some relief in these specific areas toward the end of the week.

A New Western Disturbance

The Bikaner division could also receive isolated light rain on September 28 and 29 under the influence of a new Western Disturbance, indicating that this incoming weather system could bring at least some rainfall to another part of the state currently experiencing intense heat.

A Separate System to the East

Meanwhile, a deep depression located near northern Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha is expected to move towards southern Odisha and Chhattisgarh during the next 24 hours and weaken into a depression, a system that, while unfolding in a different part of the country, illustrates the broader range of weather activity currently in play across India as the monsoon season winds down.

A Transitional Moment for the State

For now, western Rajasthan continues to experience intense late-September heat, even as the monsoon withdrawal signals the transition towards the state's drier season, capturing the somewhat paradoxical nature of this period, where the retreat of the monsoon rains has coincided with a sharp resurgence in daytime temperatures rather than a gradual cooling.