Sriganganagar sizzles at 46.5°C as heatwave tightens grip on Rajasthan
Synopsis
Rajasthan is in the grip of a punishing heatwave with Sriganganagar hitting 46.5°C — the state's highest in 24 hours — and the IMD issuing a yellow alert for more than half the state for the next three to four days. The Shekhawati region has already endured six straight days of heatwave conditions, and no meaningful relief is in sight.
Key Takeaways
Sriganganagar recorded 46.5°C on 21 May , the highest temperature in Rajasthan in the past 24 hours.
IMD has issued a yellow alert for severe heatwave conditions across more than half of Rajasthan for the next 3-4 days .
Cities across Jaipur , Jodhpur , Bikaner , Bharatpur , and Kota divisions are under heatwave conditions.
The Shekhawati region, including Sikar , has been under continuous heatwave for six consecutive days .
Authorities in Jaipur , Alwar , and Kota have deployed water-sprinkling and shade measures to provide relief.
Sirohi recorded the state's lowest minimum temperature at 21.8°C , remaining one of the few districts below 40°C .
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday, 21 May issued a yellow alert for severe heatwave conditions across more than half of Rajasthan for the next three to four days, with no significant relief expected. Sriganganagar recorded the state's highest maximum temperature of 46.5 degrees Celsius in the past 24 hours, making it the hottest city in Rajasthan.
Temperature Readings Across Rajasthan
Pilani in Jhunjhunu district came in as the second hottest at 45.3 degrees Celsius. Phalodi and Bikaner recorded 44.8 degrees Celsius, while Churu touched 44.5 degrees Celsius. Kota and Alwar registered 44.2 degrees Celsius, and Chittorgarh recorded 44 degrees Celsius.
Cities across the Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Bharatpur, and Kota divisions remained engulfed in heatwave conditions. The Shekhawati region, including Sikar district, has been under continuous heatwave for six consecutive days; Sikar recorded a maximum of 43 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 24.4 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.
Among the few districts to stay below the 40-degree mark, Sirohi recorded 39 degrees Celsius — and also logged the state's lowest minimum temperature of 21.8 degrees Celsius. Pratapgarh recorded 39.6 degrees Celsius.
Impact on Daily Life
Jaipur recorded a maximum of 42.5 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 31.1 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. Though temperatures dipped marginally, residents continued to face intense heat throughout the day. Roads across most of the state were largely deserted during peak afternoon hours, with traffic remaining sparse as people stayed indoors.
Alwar has been reeling under temperatures close to 45 degrees Celsius for the third consecutive day. Ajmer experienced severe heat and humidity from morning, recording a maximum of 40.9 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 28.6 degrees Celsius. Hot winds further disrupted normal life across most parts of the state.
Preventive Measures Underway
Authorities in several cities have launched cooling measures to mitigate the heat's impact. In Jaipur, water is being continuously sprinkled near Zorawar Singh Gate on Amer Road to reduce surface temperatures. The Municipal Corporation in Alwar has been spraying water on roads and erecting shade tents at multiple locations for pedestrians and commuters.
In Kota, cattle shelters are being watered twice daily — morning and evening — to protect livestock from the intense heat. These measures, while providing limited relief, reflect the scale of disruption the heatwave has caused across urban and rural Rajasthan.
What to Expect Next
The IMD yellow alert indicates that heatwave conditions are likely to persist and potentially intensify over the next few days, with little prospect of a meaningful temperature drop. The forecast signals continued strain on public health, water resources, and outdoor livelihoods across the state's worst-affected districts.
Point of View
Yet civic response remains piecemeal: water-sprinkling on roads and tents for pedestrians are stopgap measures, not heat-action infrastructure. The fact that Alwar has been near 45°C for three straight days and Shekhawati for six underscores that these are no longer brief spikes but sustained thermal events. The absence of any mention of health advisory or hospital preparedness in official communications is a gap that deserves scrutiny.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city recorded the highest temperature in Rajasthan on 21 May 2025?
Sriganganagar recorded the highest maximum temperature in Rajasthan at 46.5 degrees Celsius in the 24 hours preceding 21 May 2025. Pilani in Jhunjhunu district was the second hottest at 45.3 degrees Celsius.
What alert has the IMD issued for Rajasthan?
The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for severe heatwave conditions across more than half of Rajasthan for the next three to four days. No significant temperature relief is expected during this period.
Which districts and divisions are worst affected by the Rajasthan heatwave?
The Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Bharatpur, and Kota divisions are the worst affected. Alwar has been near 45°C for three consecutive days, and the Shekhawati region including Sikar has faced continuous heatwave conditions for six days.
What preventive steps are authorities taking during the Rajasthan heatwave?
In Jaipur, water is being sprinkled near Zorawar Singh Gate on Amer Road to cool surface temperatures. Alwar's Municipal Corporation is spraying roads and setting up shade tents, while Kota is watering cattle shelters twice daily to protect livestock.
Are any parts of Rajasthan escaping the heatwave?
Sirohi and Pratapgarh are among the few districts below the 40-degree mark, recording 39°C and 39.6°C respectively. Sirohi also logged the state's lowest minimum temperature at 21.8 degrees Celsius.
