Cyclone Biparjoy: Heavy Rainfall in Rajasthan Triggers Massive Floods, Claims 7 Lives

Cyclone Biparjoy: The majority of deaths occurred in Rajsamand, with four fatalities attributed to drowning and other incidents caused by the heavy rainfall.

Seven people have lost their lives so far in rain-related incidents, while 265 people have been rescued by relief forces as torrential downpours caused by a depression, remnants of Cyclone Biparjoy, lashed parts of Rajasthan over the past two days, officials confirmed. The heavy downpour caused massive floods in places like Ajmer, Jalore, Sirohi, Barmer and Pali.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has cancelled his scheduled visits to Bundi, Kota, Jhalawar, and Dausa on Tuesday and Wednesday. He has redirected his attention to the rain-affected areas instead, reported news agency PTI. Gehlot will be visiting Barmer, Sirohi, and Jalore districts on Tuesday, and Pali and Jodhpur districts on Wednesday.

According to secretary of the disaster management and relief department PC Kishan, the majority of deaths occurred in Rajsamand, with four fatalities attributed to drowning and other incidents caused by the heavy rainfall.

Jalore, Sirohi, Pali, and Barmer districts are among the hardest hit, grappling with flood-like situations, as per the official statement. Over the past two days, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescued 133 individuals, the State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) aided 123 people, and the Army saved nine individuals from various locations across these districts.

Nearly 15,000 people have been relocated from low-lying areas to safer zones, added Kishan. Initial assessments indicate that approximately 8,700 makeshift houses have been damaged, 8,500 electric poles uprooted, 2,000 transformers rendered inoperable, and 225 government school buildings partially damaged.

In terms of rainfall data, the meteorological department reported 35 cm of rainfall in Shivganj (Sirohi) by Monday morning, 31 cm in Nagarfort (Tonk), 27 cm in Deogarh (Rajsamand), 25 cm in Kumbhalgarh (Rajsamand), 24 cm in Amet (Rajsamand), 22 cm in Rajsamand, and 16 cm in Ajmer. Ajmer witnessed the highest rainfall of 100.5 mm on Monday.

While no red alert has been issued for any district on Tuesday, the weather office cautioned that isolated areas of Sawaimadhopur, Baran, and Kota districts may experience very heavy rainfall, with heavy rains expected in Bundi, Tonk, Jhalawar, and Karoli districts.