Jaipur, July 23 : The southwest monsoon has intensified once again across Rajasthan, with the monsoon trough currently passing through Bikaner. As a result, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast active conditions across the state over the next four days and issued alerts for heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts.

On Thursday, the IMD issued a heavy rainfall warning for 11 districts, while several other districts are likely to receive moderate to heavy showers accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. During the past 24 hours, heavy rainfall was recorded in parts of Beawar and Bhilwara districts.

The highest rainfall was measured at Jagpura (Banswara), which was 167.0 mm, followed by 110 mm in Beawar town, 120 mm each in Asind and Bagore (Bhilwara), 81 mm in Aklera (Jhalawar), and 73 mm in Jhalrapatan. The downpour disrupted normal life in several areas and caused waterlogging in low-lying localities.

Rainfall was also reported from parts of Dholpur, Jaipur, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and Baran districts.

According to the IMD, a cyclonic circulation over northeastern Rajasthan and adjoining areas, along with the monsoon trough remaining in its normal position, has strengthened rainfall activity across the state. Under its influence, the monsoon is expected to remain active in most districts for the next four to five days.

The widespread rainfall has also brought down daytime temperatures. Jaipur recorded a maximum temperature of 32.7 degrees Celsius, which is 2.1 degrees below normal. Other maximum temperatures included 27 degrees Celsius in Ajmer, 30 degrees in Alwar, 29.8 in Kota, 29.6 in Chittorgarh, and 30.8 in Dungarpur. Meanwhile, Jaisalmer (40 degrees) and Barmer (39.3 degrees) remained the hottest places in the state.

The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for very heavy rainfall for Banswara, Baran, Bhilwara, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Dungarpur, Jhalawar, Kota, Pratapgarh, Rajsamand, Salumbar, and Udaipur. Also, a yellow alert has been sounded in Ajmer, Alwar, Beawar, Bharatpur, Dausa, Deeg, Dholpur, Jaipur, Jhunjhunu, Karauli, Khairthal-Tijara, Kotputli-Behror, Sawai Madhopur, Sikar, Sirohi, Tonk, Balotra, Barmer, Bikaner, Churu, Didwana-Kuchaman, Hanumangarh, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Pali, Phalodi, and Sri Ganganagar.

The IMD has forecast widespread rainfall, with heavy showers at several places and isolated spells of extremely heavy rainfall, across the Kota, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Bikaner divisions around July 26.

Eastern and southeastern Rajasthan are expected to experience the most significant impact during this spell.

The ongoing rainfall is being driven by a cyclonic circulation over northeastern Rajasthan and the monsoon trough passing through the state. These systems are drawing continuous moisture from the Bay of Bengal, sustaining active monsoon conditions over Rajasthan.

The rainfall is also expected to benefit Kharif crops, providing much-needed moisture for agricultural activities across the state.

/IANS