Madhya Pradesh Weather: Sunshine in West, Rain in Nine Districts

Bhopal saw cloudy skies on Friday while much of eastern and northern Madhya Pradesh braced for heavy rain. On Raksha Bandhan, the state will see two sharply different weather patterns, bright sunshine in most of Indore and Ujjain divisions, and strong showers in parts of the east and north.

The Meteorological Department issued a heavy rainfall alert for Sheopur, Morena, Panna, Katni, Anuppur, Dindori, Mandla, Seoni, and Balaghat on Saturday. These areas are expected to receive downpours, while Indore, Ujjain, Neemuch, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Dewas, Khandwa, Burhanpur, Khargone, Dhar, Barwani, Alirajpur, and Jhabua will remain dry.

On Friday, Mandla and Sidhi each recorded over an inch of rain. Naugaon in Chhatarpur district received more than half an inch. Lighter rain touched Betul, Narmadapuram, Chhindwara, Jabalpur, Khajuraho, Rewa, Satna, Umaria, Dindori, and Mauganj.

Senior meteorologist Dr. Divya E. Surendran explained that a low-pressure system is expected to develop in the Bay of Bengal around August 13. “This system can bring back widespread rainfall to Madhya Pradesh, particularly in the second half of the month,” she said.

From June to early August, the state has recorded 28.8 inches of rain, 78% of the seasonal target. Rainfall in eastern districts like Jabalpur, Rewa, Sagar, and Shahdol divisions has been above normal. But in Indore and Ujjain divisions, most districts have received less than 13 inches, except Alirajpur and Jhabua which have crossed 20 inches.

The rainfall gap is sharp. Gwalior has already exceeded its seasonal quota with 35 inches. In contrast, Indore has just 11 inches, the lowest in the state. Burhanpur, Barwani, Khargone, and Khandwa are also trailing far behind.

Meteorological Centre scientist V.S. Yadav noted that the monsoon trough has shifted south from the Himalayan foothills and a cyclonic circulation is active over central Bangladesh. “Moisture from the Bay of Bengal is moving into eastern Madhya Pradesh. Light to moderate rain will continue in Rewa, Shahdol, and Jabalpur divisions over the weekend,” he said.

Residents in the eastern districts welcomed the rain. “Our fields were drying, but this week’s showers have revived the crops,” said Mahesh Patel, a farmer in Mandla. In the rain-starved western districts, farmers remain cautious. “We are still waiting for a proper spell. Without it, the soybean crop will suffer,” said Rajesh Singh from Khandwa.

In July, excessive rain in the eastern divisions led to flooding in parts of Raisen, submerging fields, temples, and bridges. The Betwa river swelled to dangerous levels, and some dams overflowed.

Officials expect that the upcoming weather system will help balance rainfall distribution across the state. The forecast shows that while sunshine will dominate the western parts for now, August may end with more equal rain coverage.

If the Bay of Bengal system strengthens as predicted, farmers and urban residents alike can expect a wetter second half of August. For now, the state remains split between sunshine and showers.

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