Rains lash Rajasthan, dams recharged

JAIPUR/UDAIPUR: Heavy rains across the state on Friday forced chief minister Ashok Gehlot to cancel his programmes to mark the International Tribal Day in Dungarpur.
Meanwhile water level in Mahi dam touched critical level and the administration has issued alert to people in the downstream area to refrain from any activities as sluice gates could be opened any time. Met office has warned of heavy rain with thunderstorms at isolated places in the state in the next 24 hours and scattered rains in the state over the next a four days.
Due to heavy rain, the route of 16209 Ajmer -Mysuru Express has been diverted, railway officials said. After almost a fortnight long dry spell, Udaipur received the highest rainfall of this season on Thursday night. Heavy rains that lashed the city late night around 11pm continued intermittently on Friday. The city recorded 4 inches of rains in the last 24 hours. Sisarma river flowed 4 feet above normal and the waters reached Pichhola Lake through Nandeshma channel. Major water reservoirs received two to four feet water including Sai dam, Swaroop Sagar, Udaisagar and Madar.
The heavy downpour on Thursday night caused waterlogging in several parts of the city area specially the low-lying areas like Ashok Nagar, Ayad and Delhi Gate. The Jaisamand Lake in Udaipur’s reported 161 mm due to very heavy rains. Commuters were seen wading through waist-deep water in Ashok Nagar. Water gushed inside some homes and shops on Ayad Main road. Heavy rains damaged roads which added to the miseries of commuters, particularly two-wheeler riders. With forecast of heavy rain in coming days, the city is expected to make up for dry spell last month.