Western Disturbance lashes Rajasthan with rain, hail; temperatures dip across 10+ cities
Synopsis
A Western Disturbance swept through Rajasthan, bringing hailstorms to Jaipur and Ajmer and early-morning rain to Sawai Madhopur — where crops nearing maturity have put farmers on edge. Temperatures fell below 20°C in over 10 cities, with Mount Abu hitting 15.3°C. A dry spell is expected for three to four days before another disturbance threatens the state around October 22-23.
Key Takeaways
A Western Disturbance triggered rainfall and hailstorms across Rajasthan on 18-19 October 2026 .
Sawai Madhopur received intermittent rain from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Monday; hailstorms hit Jaipur and Ajmer .
Minimum temperatures fell below 20 degrees Celsius in more than 10 cities ; Mount Abu recorded the coldest night at 15.3 degrees C .
Farmers in the Khandar region of Sawai Madhopur fear damage to maturing crops.
Dry weather is forecast for the next 3-4 days , but another Western Disturbance is expected around 22-23 October 2026 .
A Western Disturbance triggered widespread rainfall and hailstorms across Rajasthan over the past two days, bringing temperatures sharply below normal in more than 10 cities and raising alarm among farmers in maturing-crop zones, the Meteorological Centre, Jaipur confirmed on Monday, 19 October 2026.
Rain and Hail Hit Key Districts
Sawai Madhopur bore the brunt of Monday's early-morning spell, recording intermittent rainfall from approximately 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. IST under the direct influence of the Western Disturbance. On Sunday, rainfall was reported across several districts including Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Tonk, Baran, and Ajmer, while hailstorms struck Jaipur and Ajmer specifically.
Cloudy skies and limited sunshine kept daytime highs well below seasonal norms. Alwar registered a maximum of 31.8 degrees Celsius, Hanumangarh touched 31.2 degrees C, Karauli and Jhunjhunu both recorded 32.4 degrees C, and Sikar reached 32 degrees C.
Temperatures Plunge — Mount Abu Coldest at 15.3°C
The minimum temperature fell below 20 degrees Celsius in more than 10 cities across Rajasthan on Sunday night. Mount Abu recorded the lowest minimum in the state at 15.3 degrees Celsius. Other notable lows included Dungarpur at 18.6 degrees C, Sikar at 18.8 degrees C, Sirohi at 16 degrees C, and Fatehpur at 17 degrees C.
Minimum temperatures in other cities were recorded as follows: Tonk at 19.4 degrees C, Alwar at 19.5 degrees C, Pilani at 19.3 degrees C, Pali at 19 degrees C, Sri Ganganagar at 19.7 degrees C, and Jhunjhunu at 19.7 degrees C. Mornings, evenings, and nights have turned noticeably cooler across the affected areas.
Farmers Fear Crop Damage in Sawai Madhopur
The unseasonal rain and hail have intensified anxiety among the farming community, particularly in the Khandar region of Sawai Madhopur, where crops are reportedly nearing maturity. Farmers there fear that any prolonged adverse weather could damage standing produce before harvest. This comes amid a broader pattern in which late-October Western Disturbances have increasingly affected Rajasthan's kharif tail-end and early rabi sowing cycles in recent years.
Dry Weather Now, Another Disturbance by October 22-23
The Meteorological Centre in Jaipur has forecast dry conditions across Rajasthan for the next three to four days starting Monday, with skies expected to remain largely clear and sunshine returning to most districts. However, forecasters warn that another Western Disturbance is likely to become active around 22-23 October 2026, potentially triggering a fresh bout of unsettled weather across the state.
Residents and the farming community are being urged to stay alert to updated advisories as the next system approaches.
Point of View
But their intensity and timing are increasingly disruptive to the agricultural calendar. The Khandar belt of Sawai Madhopur is a telling indicator — crops at near-maturity are among the most vulnerable to unseasonal hail, and farmer distress at this stage can quickly translate into compensation demands. The Met department's advance warning of the October 22-23 system is useful, but state agencies will need to move faster on crop-damage assessments from this first spell before the next one arrives. The broader story here is how climate variability is compressing the window between harvest and sowing across Rajasthan's dryland districts.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the rain and hailstorms in Rajasthan on 18-19 October 2026?
A Western Disturbance passing over the region brought rainfall to multiple districts and hailstorms to Jaipur and Ajmer on 18-19 October 2026. Western Disturbances are extratropical weather systems originating over the Mediterranean that travel eastward and can trigger unseasonal rain across northwest India.
Which city recorded the lowest temperature in Rajasthan during this weather event?
Mount Abu recorded the lowest minimum temperature among reported cities at 15.3 degrees Celsius on Sunday. More than 10 cities across Rajasthan recorded minimum temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius.
How has the weather affected farmers in Rajasthan?
Farmers in the Khandar region of Sawai Madhopur are particularly concerned, as crops there are nearing maturity and unseasonal rain or hail could damage standing produce before harvest. Agricultural officials have not yet released formal crop-damage estimates.
What is the weather forecast for Rajasthan in the next few days?
The Meteorological Centre in Jaipur has forecast dry weather and largely clear skies for the next three to four days from Monday, 19 October 2026. However, another Western Disturbance is expected to become active around 22-23 October, which could bring fresh unsettled conditions.
Which districts of Rajasthan were affected by the Western Disturbance?
Rainfall was reported in Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Tonk, Baran, and Ajmer, among other districts, on Sunday and Monday. Hailstorms were specifically recorded in Jaipur and Ajmer during the same period.
