Indore hits 36°C, Bhopal-Gwalior cross 35°C:Strong sunshine intensifies heat across Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is witnessing an early surge in temperatures in March, with several cities recording temperatures above 35°C. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has advised residents to avoid direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours as heat conditions intensify across the state. Temperature rises across major cities Temperatures have increased significantly across several divisions of the state. After Sagar and the Gwalior-Chambal region, the Indore and Ujjain divisions are also experiencing rising heat. On Friday, Narmadapuram recorded the highest temperature at 38.1°C. Other districts including Dhar, Damoh, Sagar, Shajapur, Guna, Chhatarpur, Ratlam and Tikamgarh, reported temperatures of 36°C or higher. Night temperatures have also remained relatively warm, staying above 18°C in many areas. Clear skies intensifying heat According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a trough is passing through the eastern part of the state, while a cyclonic circulation system is also active. However, these systems have had minimal impact on Madhya Pradesh’s weather conditions. Clear skies are allowing strong sunlight to reach the ground directly, which is contributing to the rise in daytime temperatures. IMD issues heat advisory The IMD’s Bhopal weather centre has issued safety guidelines as temperatures climb. Senior meteorologist Dr. Divya E. Surendran said that the sun is most intense between 12 noon and 3 PM. Residents are advised to avoid going outdoors unless necessary. Key precautions include: Temperature may reach 40°C soon The Meteorological Department has predicted that maximum temperatures could rise by up to 4°C over the next two days. As a result, some parts of the state may record temperatures close to 40°C in the first half of March itself. Heatwave likely in April and May Weather experts say that heatwave conditions are expected mainly in April and May, not in March. Heatwaves may persist for 15–20 days during these months, with temperatures rising sharply across several regions. Mixed weather pattern in March Over the past decade, March in Madhya Pradesh has shown a mixed weather pattern, with cool nights, hot days and occasional rainfall. Cities like Bhopal, Indore and Ujjain may experience daytime temperatures above 40°C, while night temperatures could range between 10°C and 17°C. Meteorologists note that Gwalior often experiences the most variability in March, with temperatures fluctuating sharply. In the past, the city has recorded night temperatures as low as 8°C during the month. Similarly, Jabalpur typically sees hot days and cool nights during March. April–May expected to be the hottest The IMD predicts extreme heat during April and May, particularly in the divisions of Gwalior, Chambal, Jabalpur, Rewa, Shahdol and Sagar, where temperatures may exceed 45°C. Other divisions, including Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain and Narmadapuram, are also expected to experience intense heat. February saw unusual weather activity February witnessed four spells of hailstorms, rain and strong winds across the state, which caused damage to standing crops. The government later conducted surveys to assess the crop losses. The state experienced rainfall around February 18–21, followed by another spell of hail and rain on February 23–24. March weather trends in major cities