GUWAHATI: A powerful dust storm swept across several parts of Rajasthan on Saturday afternoon, May 30, severely disrupting normal life and reducing visibility to near zero in many areas.
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The storm affected districts including Churu, Bikaner and Sri Ganganagar, with high-velocity winds ranging between 50 and 70 kmph. Thick clouds of dust engulfed towns and villages, dramatically darkening the sky and creating near-zero visibility conditions.
In Churu district, the dust storm struck around 2 pm, blanketing the region in dense sand and dust. Visuals from the area showed homes, roads and open landscapes disappearing behind massive clouds of swirling sand, with daytime conditions resembling nightfall.
Visibility dropped to just a few metres in several locations, including Churu and Sardarshahar, forcing motorists to slow down or halt their vehicles. Many drivers switched on headlights to navigate through the dust-filled atmosphere.
Strong winds and dust storms were also reported from Sri Ganganagar, Sri Karanpur, Raisinghnagar, Gajsinghpur and Binjbaila, where weather conditions changed rapidly during the afternoon.
The storm lasted for nearly 30 minutes before being followed by rainfall in parts of Churu district. The showers brought relief from the prevailing heatwave-like conditions, with officials reporting a temperature drop of up to 8 degrees Celsius.
Authorities expressed concern over possible damage to trees, crops and power infrastructure due to the intense winds. However, no immediate reports of major casualties or significant damage were available at the time of filing.
Weather officials attributed the sudden change in conditions to a strong weather system affecting parts of western Rajasthan and advised residents to remain cautious during similar weather events.
#WATCH | A powerful dust storm swept across several parts of #Rajasthan on May 30, severely disrupting normal life and reducing visibility to near zero in many areas. pic.twitter.com/sW1wpkoZ6C
— GPlus (@guwahatiplus) May 30, 2026