Heat wave & rain alert in Madhya Pradesh: Storms in 21 districts, rising temperatures expected

Madhya Pradesh is set to experience a mix of heat and rain in the coming days. The Meteorological Department has issued a heat wave alert for northern districts starting May 17. At the same time, 21 districts including Indore and Ujjain are forecast to receive rain and thunderstorms on Friday.

On Thursday, several parts of the state saw storms and rain. Seoni recorded over one and a half inches of rain in just nine hours, while Pachmarhi received about four and a half inches. Other districts like Ujjain, Dhar, Mandla, and Tikamgarh also reported rainfall. Meanwhile, temperatures remained high in many areas, with Khajuraho reaching 43.4°C and Gwalior at 43°C. Bhopal, Indore, and Ujjain stayed hot with temperatures around 36 to 37 degrees Celsius.

According to Senior Meteorologist Dr. Divya E. Surendran, cyclonic circulation and other weather systems are causing the rain and storms. Despite this, the heat will increase over the next two to three days, especially in northern parts where temperatures could rise by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius.

May is usually the hottest month in Madhya Pradesh. Over the past decade, many cities have seen temperatures climb to 47 or 48 degrees Celsius. This year, the first half of May brought a mix of storms, hail, and rain, with similar weather expected to continue for the next few days. The second half of the month is likely to bring more intense heat.

Districts expected to face the highest heat include Gwalior, Chhatarpur, Narsinghpur, Tikamgarh, Khargone, Barwani, Khandwa, and several others. Some places, like Khajuraho and Naugaon, could see temperatures as high as 48 degrees Celsius.

Gwalior is forecast to be the hottest among major cities, with temperatures reaching 46 to 47 degrees. Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, and Ujjain are also expected to remain very hot, with highs near 44 to 45 degrees.

April saw similar weather patterns, with intense heat and rainfall alternating through the month. Early April temperatures were 2 to 3 degrees above normal in many regions. Strong storms and hail affected 80 percent of the state in the second week. By the third week, heat waves returned alongside high temperatures. The state’s changing weather is linked to the activity of the Western Disturbance and cyclonic circulations.

Residents are advised to prepare for the mix of heat and storms, taking precautions to stay safe during this unpredictable weather period.

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