Rajasthan monsoon revives: IMD issues orange, yellow alerts across all 33 districts
Synopsis
After nearly two weeks of silence, the southwest monsoon roared back over Rajasthan on 21 July, with the IMD slapping orange and yellow alerts on all 33 districts. Sikar bore the brunt — 119 mm of rain, four-foot waterlogging on Nawalgarh Road — while Sri Ganganagar baked at 42.9°C, underscoring how unevenly the monsoon's return is playing out across the state.
Key Takeaways
The IMD issued orange and yellow alerts for all 33 districts of Rajasthan on 21 July as the southwest monsoon revived after a two-week lull .
Sikar Rural recorded the highest rainfall at 119 mm ; Dhod logged 116 mm in the past 24 hours.
Waterlogging of up to four feet was reported on Nawalgarh Road in Sikar, disrupting traffic.
Todabhim in Karauli district recorded the highest single-point rainfall of 32 mm in 24 hours.
Sri Ganganagar remained the hottest district at 42.9°C , about 1.5°C above seasonal average, despite the monsoon revival.
The monsoon is forecast to strengthen further from Wednesday across Kota, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Jodhpur, and Bikaner divisions.
The southwest monsoon has reactivated over Rajasthan after a gap of nearly two weeks, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue orange and yellow alerts for thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across all 33 districts on Tuesday, 21 July. The revival brings much-needed relief after a prolonged dry spell that had pushed temperatures well above seasonal norms in several parts of the state.
Rainfall Recorded Across Districts
Showers were reported on Monday across multiple districts, including Jaipur, Udaipur, Alwar, Bhilwara, Kota, Chittorgarh, Dausa, and Sikar. In Jaipur, rain that began late Monday evening continued intermittently into Tuesday morning, pulling the maximum temperature down by nearly 3 degrees Celsius to 34.4°C.
The highest single-point rainfall in the past 24 hours was recorded at Todabhim in Karauli district at 32 mm. However, the most intense rainfall occurred in Sikar, where Sikar Rural logged 119 mm, Dhod recorded 116 mm, Reengus received 45 mm, Palsana 42 mm, and Laxmangarh 38 mm.
Waterlogging Disrupts Sikar
Overnight rainfall in Sikar was severe enough to cause widespread waterlogging, with water accumulating up to four feet on parts of Nawalgarh Road, disrupting normal traffic movement. Dense cloud cover persisted over the district on Tuesday morning, with intermittent showers continuing to be reported.
What the IMD Forecast Says
According to the IMD, the monsoon trough has returned to its normal position, enabling moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal to become active over eastern and northeastern Rajasthan. Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected on Tuesday in parts of Kota Division, Jaipur Division, Bharatpur Division, Ajmer Division, and Bikaner Division.
From Wednesday onwards, the monsoon is forecast to strengthen further across Kota, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Jodhpur, and Bikaner divisions, with heavy rainfall particularly likely in Jaipur and Bharatpur divisions.
North Rajasthan Still Sweltering
Despite the monsoon's return, northern Rajasthan continued to reel under elevated temperatures attributable to the prolonged dry period. Sri Ganganagar remained the state's hottest district, recording a maximum of 42.9°C — approximately 1.5 degrees above the seasonal average. Bikaner also recorded a high of 40.5°C.
Light to moderate rainfall was reported in Kitasar village of Sri Dungargarh in Bikaner, providing moisture to standing crops and raising hopes for improved agricultural conditions in rain-fed regions of the state.
IMD Advisory for Residents
The IMD has advised residents across Rajasthan to stay alert for thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy rainfall over the coming days, with particular caution urged in low-lying and flood-prone areas. The department will continue to monitor conditions as the monsoon is expected to intensify through the rest of the week.
Point of View
But the uneven distribution is telling: Sikar drowns under 119 mm while Sri Ganganagar bakes at 42.9°C in the same 24-hour window. This spatial mismatch between rainfall surplus and deficit within a single state is a recurring Rajasthan pattern that flood-and-drought management frameworks have yet to adequately address.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the IMD issued orange and yellow alerts for Rajasthan?
The IMD issued orange and yellow alerts for all 33 districts of Rajasthan on 21 July because the southwest monsoon has reactivated after a nearly two-week lull, with the monsoon trough returning to its normal position and bringing moderate to heavy rainfall. Residents have been advised to stay alert for thunderstorms, lightning, and waterlogging, especially in low-lying areas.
Which areas in Rajasthan received the heaviest rainfall?
Sikar district recorded the most intense rainfall, with Sikar Rural logging 119 mm and Dhod 116 mm. Todabhim in Karauli district recorded the highest single-point rainfall of 32 mm over the past 24 hours. Other districts including Jaipur, Udaipur, Alwar, Bhilwara, Kota, and Chittorgarh also received showers.
What is the Rajasthan weather forecast for the coming days?
The IMD forecasts moderate to heavy rainfall across Rajasthan over the next three days. From Wednesday, the monsoon is expected to strengthen further across Kota, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Jodhpur, and Bikaner divisions, with heavy rainfall particularly likely in Jaipur and Bharatpur divisions.
Is Rajasthan still experiencing high temperatures despite the monsoon revival?
Yes. Northern Rajasthan continues to record above-normal temperatures. Sri Ganganagar was the hottest district at 42.9°C, about 1.5 degrees above the seasonal average, while Bikaner recorded 40.5°C. In contrast, Jaipur saw a nearly 3-degree drop to 34.4°C following overnight rain.
What impact has the monsoon revival had on agriculture in Rajasthan?
Light to moderate rainfall in Kitasar village of Sri Dungargarh in Bikaner has provided moisture to standing crops, raising hopes for improved agricultural conditions in rain-fed regions. The broader revival is expected to benefit kharif crops across the state, though the uneven distribution of rainfall remains a concern.
