Heat wave alert in Madhya Pradesh for first time this season

Madhya Pradesh is set to face its first heat wave of the summer season. The Meteorological Department has issued an alert for several districts, especially in the Ujjain, Gwalior, and Chambal regions. Heat wave conditions are expected to hit on April 7 and 8.

On Friday, temperatures in Bhopal crossed 37 degrees Celsius. Other cities also reported a sharp rise in heat. Narmadapuram and Ratlam recorded 40 degrees, while Khajuraho, Dhar, Guna, and Tikamgarh hovered around 39. Gwalior and Ujjain saw 38 degrees.

According to the IMD, weather patterns are shifting. Two cyclonic circulations and one western disturbance led to light rains and cloudy skies in some regions. These systems will weaken by Saturday, clearing the way for rising temperatures and dry winds.

Dr. Divya E. Surendran from the IMD said the state could see rising heat for the next three to four days. Hot winds on April 7 and 8 may cause heat wave conditions in Neemuch, Mandsaur, Gwalior, Sheopur, Morena, Bhind, and Datia. On April 8, the wave may extend to Shivpuri, Guna, and Ashoknagar.

Earlier this week, several districts including Bhind, Morena, Bhopal, and Chhindwara saw light rain and cloudy weather. But the temperature has now started climbing, with some cities witnessing a 7-degree spike.

The IMD predicts that heat wave conditions may last for 7 to 10 days this month. April is expected to bring mixed weather. The first two weeks may see light rain, while the last week could be the hottest, with temperatures possibly crossing 45 degrees.

Dr. Vedprakash Singh, Director at the Meteorological Center in Bhopal, said temperatures this month are expected to stay above normal. Some regions may face 2 to 3 days of heat wave in the second and third weeks, and 3 to 4 days in the last week.

In the first week of April, nights are expected to be warmer than usual. Daytime highs in Indore, Sagar, and Narmadapuram may touch 42 degrees. Other regions may stay within 38 to 41 degrees.

By the second week, night temperatures in Indore, Ujjain, and Chambal may rise to 26 degrees. Daytime temperatures in Gwalior, Chambal, and Sagar may reach 43 degrees. There is little chance of rain, but some cloud cover may appear in the southern parts.

During the third week, both minimum and maximum temperatures will rise. Nights may stay around 27 degrees, and daytime highs could touch 44 degrees. A short heat wave may occur again. Light rain may also return briefly.

The fourth week is likely to be the hottest. Day temperatures may hit 45 degrees in Gwalior, Chambal, and Sagar. Other cities including Indore, Bhopal, and Ujjain may see 44 degrees. Nights will remain hot, with minimums around 30 degrees.

Data from the past 10 years shows April brings intense heat to Madhya Pradesh. In cities like Gwalior, temperatures have touched 45 degrees. In 1996, Bhopal saw a high of 44.4 degrees on April 29. Rain has also occurred during this month. For example, Bhopal recorded 30.8 mm of rain on April 20, 2013.

In Indore, the temperature reached 44.6 degrees back in 1958. Rain is not unusual in April, with over 22 mm recorded last year.

Jabalpur has crossed 45 degrees in April, with the highest being 45.4 degrees in 1970. On April 3, 1935, it saw nearly 50 mm of rain in one day.

Gwalior often sees the highest temperatures. In 1958, it hit 46.2 degrees. It also holds the April record for rainfall with 67.6 mm in a single day in 1909.

Ujjain has also experienced both heat and rain in April. In 2010, it reached 45.2 degrees. In the past decade, it has crossed 43 degrees twice.

The trend suggests April will remain harsh in Madhya Pradesh, with a mix of heat waves and brief rainfall spells.

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