Monsoon May Reach Rajasthan on 3 July, Say Weather Experts

Banswara, known as Rajasthan's own "Cherrapunji", has been waiting nearly a fortnight for the monsoon's heavy downpours this year. Farmers have been anxiously scanning the skies each day, but the rain-bearing clouds have been slow to oblige. Meteorologists now believe that monsoon currents from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are gradually advancing into the Wagad-Kanthal region, raising strong hopes of light to moderate showers on Thursday and Friday. Spirits were lifted further on Wednesday night when Danpur received a burst of heavy rain at around 10pm.

Professor Narpat Singh Rathore, former head of the Geography Department at Mohanlal Sukhadia University, said that the eastern and south-eastern parts of the state would see increased thunder, strong winds and rainfall activity on 2 July, with a strong likelihood of the monsoon making its formal entry on 3 July. He noted that the south-west monsoon has already become active over southern and eastern Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and the Terai belt of eastern Uttar Pradesh over the past two days.

According to Professor Rathore, the first spell of monsoon rain is expected to enter Rajasthan via the Hadauti, Kanthal and Wagad-Mewar route on Thursday or Friday, and should remain active for three to four days. Rainfall intensity is likely to vary from place to place, ranging from heavy downpours to lighter, patchy showers.

Satellite Feed Down for Three Days

Adding to the challenge, the weather department's satellite imagery has reportedly been frozen for the last three days, preventing meteorologists from tracking the monsoon's exact movement. The satellite feed, which usually updates every two to three hours, has remained static, making it harder for scientists to give a precise reading of the system's progress.

Temperatures Set to Drop by 7 Degrees in Banswara

Banswara recorded a maximum temperature of 37°C and a minimum of 27°C on 1 July, leaving residents struggling with intense heat and humidity. However, relief is expected from Thursday onwards, with the maximum temperature forecast to fall by as much as 7 degrees over the next three days.

Forecast (Date – Max/Min °C):

• 2 July – 33/26
• 3 July – 30/25
• 4 July – 30/25
• 5 July – 31/25
• 6 July – 29/26