Unseasonal rain, hail lash Madhya Pradesh amid heat:IMD issues storm alert for 17 districts; heatwave conditions in Bhopal

Amid intense summer heat, several parts of Madhya Pradesh witnessed a sudden spell of rain, hailstorms, and strong winds on Thursday, disrupting normal life across more than 15 districts. Rain accompanied by thunder and lightning was reported in Bhopal, Gwalior, Satna, Sheopur, Tikamgarh, Raisen, Balaghat, Chhatarpur, Morena, Sagar, Panna, Maihar, Umaria and Rewa. Hailstorms were recorded in parts of Umaria and Morena. In Bhopal, strong winds uprooted trees in several areas, including Kolar Road, while weather conditions remained unstable till late night. Alert for 17 districts The Meteorological Department has issued a warning for storms and rain in 17 districts on Friday, including Gwalior, Morena, Bhind, Datia, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Sidhi, Singrauli, Shahdol, Umaria, Anuppur, Dindori, Mandla, Seoni and Balaghat. At the same time, heatwave conditions are expected to persist in several regions, including Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Jabalpur and surrounding districts, with the possibility of evening dust storms. Unusual start to May Typically marked by extreme heat, May has begun this year with rain and storm activity. The IMD has forecast similar weather conditions for the first four days of the month. A new western disturbance is expected to become active over the western Himalayan region from May 2, which may further influence weather patterns in the state over the coming days. Advisory issued Authorities have advised people to avoid stepping out between 12 noon and 3 pm unless necessary, stay hydrated, and wear light cotton clothing. Special caution has been urged for children and the elderly. Mixed May trend continues Weather data indicates that Madhya Pradesh often experiences a mix of extreme heat and rainfall in May. Cities such as Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur and Ujjain have recorded both high temperatures above 45°C and periodic rainfall over the past decade. The current spell highlights the state’s increasingly unpredictable summer pattern, with alternating heatwaves and sudden storms.