The unseasonal rain and hailstorm lash Rajasthan with sudden showers, hail, and a big dip in temperatures across several districts. The temperature dropped almost 9°C, so people got a break from the heat, but farmers started worrying, as gusty winds, lightning, and scattered rain threw off everyone’s routine, crops took a beating, and transportation got messy. Weather experts blame it on western disturbances and shifting atmospheric conditions.

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What Caused This Sudden Change in the Weather in the State?

• Western Disturbance Impact: A strong western disturbance crossing North India caused moisture and instability in the atmosphere. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), western disturbances cause 70-80% of winter and pre-summer season rainfall in North-West India.
• Temperature Drop Analysis: The temperature in Jaipur and its surrounding areas dropped by as much as 9°C in 24 hours, which is quite high in March when the temperature is supposed to rise above 30–32°C.
• Wind and Pressure Systems: The wind speed during this storm was 40-60 km/h, causing hail and sudden temperature drops.
• Climate Variability Factor: It has been found in various research studies that India is witnessing more instances of unseasonal weather patterns owing to climate variability. A report by the Ministry of Earth Sciences found that extreme weather events have increased by 15-20%.

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How Has the Hailstorm Affected Agriculture and Daily Life?

• Crop Damage Reports: Crops such as wheat, mustard, and vegetables were damaged by the impact of the hailstorm. Experts estimate that if a hailstorm lasts only for 10-15 minutes, the yield of these crops may go down by as much as 30-40%.
• Farmer Loss Concerns: Rajasthan contributes nearly 40% of India’s total mustard oilseed production.
• Urban Disruptions: Waterlogging of roads, traffic jams, and reduced visibility were some of the disruptions on major roads during the hailstorm.
• Power and Infrastructure Impact: There were temporary power outages in some areas of Rajasthan because of the strong winds knocking down power lines and transformers.

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Is This a Sign of Changing Climate Patterns in India?

As more and more scientists begin to notice erratic weather patterns globally, they are beginning to connect climate change with much of what we see happening in today’s world. For example, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that climate change is causing global warming and, more importantly, that this global warming is influencing the hydrological cycle, resulting in more intense and erratic weather events, like rainfall events, which are typically not associated with the season they occur within India.

Additionally, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology has published a study showing that, over the past 50 years, extreme weather events (e.g., hailstorms, heavy rainfall) have increased by approximately 20% in India. The unseasonal rain and hailstorm lash Rajasthan, which is evidence of a rapidly changing climate system, present additional challenges to agriculture, infrastructure, and community livelihoods, and highlight the need for climate-responsive planning and better weather forecasting systems.

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