IMD predicts delayed monsoon entry into MP:June rainfall remains 35% below normal, sowing yet to begin

The southwest monsoon is now expected to enter the state between June 21 and June 23, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Weather officials said the monsoon has remained stalled over Bhadrachalam in Telangana for nearly a week, delaying its progress into Madhya Pradesh as well as neighbouring Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. The delay has also extended the wait for the sowing of Kharif crops. Senior agricultural scientist S.S. Dhakad said crops such as soybean, urad, moong and tur require at least 100 mm (4 inches) of rainfall to ensure adequate soil moisture for sowing. He advised farmers to begin sowing only after receiving sufficient rainfall and to ensure proper seed treatment beforehand. Pre-monsoon showers continue across parts of the state Pre-monsoon activity continued across Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday, with Sidhi receiving nearly one inch of rainfall. Betul, Rewa and Satna recorded over half an inch of rain, while districts including Raisen, Chhindwara, Gwalior and Sagar also witnessed thunderstorms and showers. The rain and cloud cover brought down daytime temperatures. Shivpuri recorded a maximum temperature of 35°C, followed by Pachmarhi at 35.4°C, Seoni at 36.4°C and Betul at 36.5°C. Khajuraho and Nowgong remained among the hottest places at 42.2°C. Among the state’s five major cities, Bhopal recorded 37°C, Indore 37.3°C, Gwalior 39.5°C, Ujjain 38.5°C and Jabalpur 40.4°C. June rainfall running 35% below normal The IMD normally expects the monsoon to reach Madhya Pradesh by June 15. Over the past decade, the earliest arrival was on June 9 in 2021, while the latest was on June 25 in 2018. Last year, the monsoon entered the state on June 16 and brought above-normal rainfall. With this year’s onset likely to be delayed by about a week, June rainfall has fallen significantly behind schedule. Between June 1 and June 16, the state has recorded 35% less rainfall than normal. Eastern Madhya Pradesh has been particularly affected, receiving less than half of its average rainfall during the period. Districts experiencing below-normal rainfall include Anuppur, Balaghat, Chhatarpur, Chhindwara, Damoh, Dindori, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Mauganj, Narsinghpur, Pandhurna, Rewa, Sagar, Seoni, Shahdol, Sidhi, Singrauli, Tikamgarh, Umaria, Alirajpur, Barwani, Betul, Bhind, Burhanpur, Datia, Dewas, Dhar, Gwalior, Indore, Jhabua, Khargone, Ratlam, Ujjain and Vidisha. Thunderstorm alert for 34 districts The weather department has issued a thunderstorm and rainfall alert for 34 districts on Wednesday, including Gwalior, Bhind, Morena, Sheopur, Datia, Shivpuri, Guna, Ashoknagar, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Anuppur, Dindori, Mandla, Balaghat, Seoni, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Pandhurna, Narmadapuram, Betul, Harda, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Sehore, Dewas, Shajapur, Rajgarh, Agar Malwa, Ujjain, Indore, Khargone, Neemuch and Mandsaur. Meanwhile, Ratlam, Jhabua, Alirajpur, Dhar, Barwani, Bhopal, Vidisha, Raisen, Sagar, Damoh, Jabalpur, Panna, Satna, Rewa, Mauganj, Maihar, Sidhi, Singrauli, Umaria and Shahdol are expected to witness sunny conditions, with heat likely to persist. June weather trends in 5 major cities Bhopal Bhopal typically experiences both intense heat and significant rainfall in June. Over the past decade, temperatures before June 15 have frequently been high, crossing 44°C in three different years. In 2020, the city received around 16 inches of rainfall during June, while in 2024 it recorded nearly 10.9 inches, including almost 5 inches within a single day. Indore June temperatures in Indore have moderated in recent years, with maximum temperatures between 39.6°C and 41.6°C from 2020 to 2025. Last year, the city received about 5.5 inches of rainfall during June. Historically, Indore recorded over 17 inches of rain in June 1980, while its highest 24-hour rainfall of nearly 5 inches occurred on June 23, 2003. Gwalior Gwalior generally remains extremely hot through June. The city recorded 47.8°C in June 2019, while temperatures exceeded 45°C in both 2024 and 2025. Historically, Gwalior received around 28.5 inches of rainfall during June 1952, with a record single-day rainfall of about 7.5 inches on June 27 that year. Jabalpur Jabalpur usually benefits from an early monsoon and receives substantial June rainfall. Between 2016 and 2025, nearly 30% of its annual rainfall quota was achieved during June alone. The city recorded more than 8.5 inches of rainfall in June last year and may once again be among the first regions in Madhya Pradesh to receive this year’s monsoon. Ujjain Ujjain has also maintained a strong June rainfall trend, recording between 2.5 and 8 inches of rainfall during the 2016–2025 period. The city received over 13.5 inches in June 1970, while its heaviest single-day rainfall—around 6.5 inches—was recorded on June 15, 2001. In 2025, June rainfall exceeded 8 inches.