Dust Storm in Rajasthan's Churu; Delhi Faces 92kmph Winds, Flights

Dust storms were reported in Rajasthan's Churu, Jhunjhunu, and Sikar on Monday afternoon, temporarily darkening the skies in Churu. Heavy rainfall followed in Kotputli and Behror, while hail accompanied rain in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh. A falling tree struck a moving auto in Badaun, resulting in the death of a young woman and injuries to the driver.

Delhi experienced strong winds at speeds of 92kmph along with rain, disrupting weather conditions. Four flights were diverted to Jaipur due to the adverse weather. Meanwhile, the monsoon has advanced to Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha but has slowed near Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. It has reached the UP-Chhattisgarh border after entering Kerala on June 4.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a 64% reduction in rainfall between June 4 and June 15 compared to the normal average. This slowdown is attributed to unusual upper atmospheric wind patterns, including a southward shift of the western jet stream, despite sufficient moisture in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.

Temperatures exceeded 40°C in several states, with Banda in Uttar Pradesh recording the highest at 43.4°C. Other notable temperatures included Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh (42.6°C), Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh (42°C), and Falodi in Rajasthan (42.8°C).

Key Points

• Dust storms affected Churu, Jhunjhunu, and Sikar in Rajasthan, causing temporary darkness.
• Delhi faced 92kmph winds, leading to the diversion of four flights to Jaipur.
• Monsoon has reached the UP-Chhattisgarh border but slowed due to unusual wind patterns.
• Rainfall between June 4-15 was 64% below normal, as per IMD data.
• Temperatures crossed 40°C in multiple states, with Banda, UP, recording 43.4°C.