Heavy to very heavy rainfall has battered parts of Rajasthan over the last 24 hours, leading to flood-like situations and causing at least six rain-related deaths. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a forecast for continued heavy rainfall over the next few days, prompting district collectors in Jaipur, Nagaur, and Ajmer to declare school holidays for Monday and Tuesday as a precautionary measure.
In Dausa, the highest rainfall was recorded at 29 cm in the last 24 hours. However, the situation is particularly dire in parts of Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, and Kota, where rescue and relief operations are in full swing.
The tragic incidents include:
- Jhalawar: Four people, including two government school teachers, were swept away by floodwaters while attempting to cross a submerged low-bridge in their car. The bodies of two individuals—Neeraj Singh Shekhawat and Hari Ballabh Khati—were recovered, while two others, including a teacher named Venugopal, are still missing. The victims were warned by locals not to cross the overflowing bridge, but they did not heed the warnings.
- Udaipur: Four minors—Laxmi Gameti (14), Bhavesh (14), Rahul (12), and Shankar (13)—drowned in a rainwater-filled mine while they were out grazing goats. They had entered the mine to bathe and slipped into deep water. Their bodies were later recovered with the help of locals.
The intense rainfall has caused widespread disruption. In Jaipur, roads were inundated with knee-high water, causing significant traffic problems. The Jaipur Development Authority has closed two parks, Kishan Bagh and Swarn Jayanti Park, until Wednesday due to waterlogging. Several areas also reported power outages.
In Sawai Madhopur, numerous villages downstream of the Surwal dam are completely submerged, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate or seek refuge on their rooftops. The overflowing water has also blocked the Lalsot-Kota Mega Highway. Nagaur is also facing significant waterlogging, and the district administration has issued advisories for residents to exercise caution.
Authorities in the affected regions have deployed flood relief and rescue teams and have shut down schools and anganwadi centers to ensure public safety.