Dust Storm Sweeps Rajasthan, Rain and Thunderstorms Cool North India

A powerful dust storm swept across several parts of Rajasthan on Saturday, disrupting normal life even as widespread rainfall brought much needed relief to large parts of north India from days of intense heat.

Driven by an active western disturbance , the storm hit districts including Churu, Bikaner, Hanumangarh, Sri Ganganagar, Nagaur, Didwana-Kuchaman, Alwar and Sikar . Jaipur also witnessed strong winds followed by rain later in the day.

Thick clouds of dust and sand engulfed several towns, reducing visibility to near zero and forcing motorists to drive with headlights on even during daytime. In Hanumangarh and Sri Ganganagar , wind speeds reached around 56 kmph , according to officials.

Residents described sudden darkness in the middle of the day, with normal activity coming to a standstill as people struggled to move through dust-laden air. While the storm caused disruption, it also helped ease the intense heatwave conditions that had gripped the desert state in recent days.

In the national capital region, Delhi experienced dust storms accompanied by alerts for thunderstorms, lightning, hail and rain . The weather office warned of strong winds ranging between 70 and 100 kmph in several parts of the city, linked to the same western disturbance and associated cyclonic circulation.

Punjab and Haryana also received widespread rainfall, leading to a sharp drop in temperatures. Showers were reported from multiple cities including Mohali, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Gurugram, Rohtak and Karnal. Chandigarh recorded 18.2 mm of rainfall, with temperatures falling significantly below seasonal averages.

Uttar Pradesh too saw scattered rain across several districts, bringing down maximum temperatures by several notches. While Lucknow remained dry, the city still recorded temperatures well below normal levels.

In Himachal Pradesh , rain and hailstorms affected several areas, prompting weather warnings across most districts. Shimla and adjoining regions witnessed hail and heavy showers, while the weather department has forecast continued unstable conditions in the coming days.

Meteorological officials have indicated that the active western disturbance will continue to influence weather patterns across north and northwest India, keeping conditions unstable but offering relief from prolonged heatwave conditions.