Storm and rain mark start of Nautapa in Madhya Pradesh, temperature drops by 10°C

Madhya Pradesh saw an unusual start to this year’s Nautapa. Instead of a heatwave, several districts experienced rain, thunderstorms, and cloudy skies. Temperatures dropped by up to 10°C compared to last year.

Rain and storm hit 44 districts

On Sunday, cities like Mandla, Chhindwara, and Betul recorded rainfall. Mandla received nearly half an inch. Daytime temperatures dipped across the state, including Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Jabalpur, and Gwalior. Only Khajuraho touched 40°C, while the rest remained cooler.

The Meteorological Department issued a rain and thunderstorm alert for 44 districts, including Indore and Jabalpur. Wind speeds may reach up to 60 km/h in Chhindwara, Pandhurna, Seoni, Mandla, and Balaghat.

Districts under alert include Jhabua, Alirajpur, Dhar, Barwani, Khargone, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Harda, Narmadapuram, Katni, Umaria, Dindori, Shahdol, Singrauli, Sidhi, Mauganj, Rewa, Satna, Maihar, Panna, Damoh, Sagar, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Agar-Malwa, Guna, Ashoknagar, Shivpuri, Gwalior, Datia, Bhind, Morena, and Sheopur.

The lowest temperature was recorded in Pachmarhi at 29.2°C. Other key readings: Malajkhand 30.6°C, Chhindwara 31°C, Betul 31.5°C, and Seoni 32°C. In bigger cities: Bhopal stood at 34.8°C, Indore 33.8°C, Gwalior 38.5°C, Ujjain 35.5°C, and Jabalpur 34.5°C.

Last year, 35 cities saw temperatures above 40°C on the first day of Nautapa. This time, most places remained much cooler. Khargone, Khandwa, Ratlam, and Rajgarh had recorded highs of 45°C or more last year.

Cyclonic systems bring long wet spell

Meteorologists say three active cyclonic circulations have caused the cooler, stormy weather. These patterns may continue for the next four days.

May is usually the hottest month in Madhya Pradesh. In past years, temperatures have touched 47–48°C. But this year, rain has fallen for 19 straight days. Heat is expected to rise again only after this spell ends.

The mercury may rise sharply in the final days of May. Gwalior, Chhatarpur, Narsinghpur, Niwari, Maihar, Tikamgarh, Bhind, Datia, Khargone, Barwani, Khandwa, Morena, Rajgarh, Raisen, Shajapur, Sheopur, Shivpuri, and Vidisha are likely to experience temperatures above 45°C. Khajuraho and Naugaon may touch 48°C.

Bhopal may see highs between 44–45°C. Indore, Jabalpur, and Ujjain will likely see similar levels. Gwalior is expected to be the hottest among major cities, possibly reaching 47°C.

April also saw a mix of rain and heat. In the first week, temperatures ranged from 39 to 44°C in cities like Indore, Sagar, and Narmadapuram. A heatwave hit Ratlam. Later in April, storms and hail affected 80% of the state.

By mid-April, strong north-western winds brought cooler nights. But daytime temperatures remained high, often crossing 40°C. From April 25, Western Disturbance and cyclonic systems triggered more rain and hail.

The unusual weather has disrupted the typical pattern of rising summer heat. Experts are now watching how high temperatures will climb in the coming weeks.

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