Red alert in Rajasthan as dust storms, winds hit 10+ districts
Synopsis
Rajasthan was swept by a powerful Western Disturbance on 30 May, plunging districts from Sri Ganganagar to Jaipur into daytime darkness, uprooting trees, and cutting power — with the Disaster Management Department warning of wind gusts up to 100 kmph. Red Alerts covered more than 10 districts across two successive weather bulletins.
Key Takeaways
A Western Disturbance triggered sandstorms, rain, and strong winds across Rajasthan on 30 May .
Wind speeds reached 56 kmph in Hanumangarh and Sri Ganganagar ; gusts up to 100 kmph were forecast by the Disaster Management Department .
The Meteorological Department issued a Red Alert for 10+ districts including Jaipur , Bikaner , Nagaur , and Phalodi .
An Orange Alert was issued for Dausa , Alwar , Bharatpur , Karauli , and adjoining districts.
Trees were uprooted and electricity supply disrupted across multiple areas; hailstones were reported in rural pockets.
The storm brought temporary relief from prevailing heatwave conditions across the state.
A powerful Western Disturbance swept across Rajasthan on Saturday, 30 May, triggering widespread sandstorms, heavy rain, and gusty winds that disrupted normal life across more than 10 districts. The Meteorological Department issued a Red Alert for multiple regions, with wind speeds forecast to reach up to 80 kilometres per hour — and Rajasthan's Disaster Management Department warning of gusts between 90 and 100 kmph during peak hours.
Districts Hit and What Happened
Sandstorms swept through Churu, Hanumangarh, Sri Ganganagar, Bikaner, Nagaur, Didwana-Kuchaman, Alwar, and Sikar, while Jaipur recorded rain accompanied by strong winds. Hailstones were reported from several rural pockets. Daytime visibility dropped so sharply in parts of the state that motorists were forced to switch on headlights mid-afternoon.
In Sri Ganganagar, a storm around 11 a.m. blanketed the city in thick dust, creating near-blackout conditions. The storm system first struck Hanumangarh and Sri Ganganagar, where wind speeds reached up to 56 kmph. In Jaipur's Jhotwara area, intense dust and winds persisted for close to 10 minutes during the evening. Similar scenes played out in Churu, Bikaner, and across Fatehpur and Laxmangarh in Sikar district. Strong winds uprooted trees and disrupted electricity supply across several areas.
Alerts Issued: Red and Orange Zones
At 4:30 p.m., the Meteorological Department issued a Red Alert for the following three hours covering Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Bikaner, Churu, Sikar, Didwana-Kuchaman, Nagaur, Jhunjhunu, Jaipur, and Phalodi. An Orange Alert was simultaneously issued for Dausa, Alwar, Kotputli-Behror, Khairthal-Tijara, Deeg, Bharatpur, and Karauli.
A revised warning issued around 6 p.m. extended the Red Alert for heavy rainfall and intense weather to Phalodi, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Didwana-Kuchaman, Sikar, Jaipur, Ajmer, Beawar, Tonk, and Dausa, with wind speeds forecast up to 80 kmph. An Orange Alert in the same update covered Balotra, Kotputli-Behror, Alwar, Khairthal-Tijara, Sawai Madhopur, and Karauli.
Disaster Management Warning
Rajasthan's Disaster Management Department issued a separate advisory warning of severe storm activity between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., cautioning that wind speeds could range between 90 and 100 kmph in the worst-affected zones. Additional alerts remained active for Didwana-Kuchaman, Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Jaipur, Jhunjhunu, Kotputli-Behror, Nagaur, and Sikar as authorities continued to monitor the evolving situation.
Brief Relief Amid Disruption
Despite the widespread disruption, the abrupt weather shift offered a measure of relief from the intense heat and heatwave conditions that had gripped the state in preceding days. Udaipur and several other districts also recorded rainfall during the morning hours. Authorities have urged residents in alerted districts to stay indoors and avoid travel during peak storm windows, with the weather system expected to move eastward in the coming hours.
Point of View
By now, be storm-hardening its grid. The dual Red-and-Orange alert system is a communication improvement, but alerts alone do not protect residents in districts where last-mile warning delivery remains inconsistent. With monsoon still weeks away, more such events are likely.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the dust storms and heavy winds in Rajasthan on 30 May?
A strong Western Disturbance triggered the sandstorms, rain, and gusty winds that swept across Rajasthan on 30 May. The system first impacted northern districts like Hanumangarh and Sri Ganganagar before spreading to Jaipur, Bikaner, Nagaur, and other regions.
Which districts were placed under Red Alert in Rajasthan?
The Meteorological Department issued Red Alerts across two bulletins covering Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Bikaner, Churu, Sikar, Didwana-Kuchaman, Nagaur, Jhunjhunu, Jaipur, Phalodi, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Beawar, Tonk, and Dausa. Orange Alerts were issued for Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli, Kotputli-Behror, and several other districts.
How fast were the winds during the Rajasthan storm?
Wind speeds reached up to 56 kmph in Hanumangarh and Sri Ganganagar during the initial phase. The Meteorological Department forecast gusts up to 80 kmph in the evening, while Rajasthan's Disaster Management Department warned of speeds between 90 and 100 kmph between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
What damage did the storm cause in Rajasthan?
Strong winds uprooted trees and disrupted electricity supply across multiple districts. Daytime visibility fell so sharply that motorists switched on headlights, and hailstones were reported in some rural areas. Normal life was disrupted across more than 10 districts.
Did the storm provide any relief from the heatwave in Rajasthan?
Yes, despite the disruption, the sudden weather shift brought temporary relief from intense heat and heatwave conditions that had prevailed across the state. Rainfall was also recorded in Udaipur and several other districts during the morning hours of 30 May.
