Madhya Pradesh is expected to witness a mix of heatwave (loo), intense heat, and stormy-rainy conditions until June 26. Due to the delayed monsoon and reduced pre-monsoon activity, both humidity and temperatures have risen across the state. The Jabalpur division has already been under heatwave conditions for the past two days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bhopal, has issued a heatwave alert for districts in the Jabalpur, Rewa, and Sagar divisions for the next four days. On Monday, hot winds are expected during the daytime in Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Mandla, Umaria, and Dindori, while stormy rainfall is likely in the evening hours. Heatwave-like conditions are also expected to persist in Gwalior, Bhind, Morena, Datia, Sheopur, Guna, Neemuch, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Agar-Malwa, Rajgarh, Bhopal, Raisen, Narmadapuram, Betul, Harda, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Khargone, Dewas, Sehore, Indore, Ujjain, Shajapur, Chhindwara, Seoni, and Balaghat. Stormy rain alert in over 21 districts Alongside the heatwave conditions, more than 21 districts are likely to experience stormy rainfall activity today. The IMD has issued alerts for strong storms in Jhabua, Alirajpur, Dhar, Barwani, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna, Rewa, Mauganj, Sidhi, Singrauli, Shahdol, Maihar, Anuppur, Katni, Damoh, Sagar, Vidisha, and Ashoknagar. Rainfall recorded in several districts The spell of storms and rain continued across the state on Sunday. Raisen recorded 61 mm (around 2.5 inches) of rainfall. Bhopal witnessed heavy rain in the afternoon, while Satna received around three-quarters of an inch. Rainfall was also reported in Jabalpur, Khajuraho, Naogaon, and Seoni. Temperature drop in major cities Daytime temperatures dropped slightly on Sunday. In major cities- Bhopal- 35.3°C Indore- 37.1°C Gwalior- 39.7°C Ujjain- 36°C Jabalpur- 38°C The lowest temperature was recorded in Pachmarhi at 32.2°C. Other readings included Seoni and Shivpuri at 35°C, Raisen at 36°C, Sagar and Tikamgarh at 36.5°C, while Datia recorded the highest at 40.6°C. See 6 pictures related to rain Monsoon delayed by several days The monsoon in Madhya Pradesh is now around seven days late, and its arrival is expected to be delayed further by about four days. The IMD has indicated that the monsoon may enter the state after June 25. On June 23, it is likely to advance towards Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Normally, the monsoon reaches the state by June 15, but this year there has been no significant progress even by June 22. The monsoon has been stalled over Telangana since June 8, although it is slowly advancing and may reach Chhattisgarh around June 23. If conditions improve, it could arrive in Madhya Pradesh around June 25. Last year, it arrived on June 16. Rainfall deficit widens across state Due to the delayed monsoon, rainfall in June has dropped sharply. The state is currently recording a 48% rainfall deficit. Eastern Madhya Pradesh, including Jabalpur, Rewa, Shahdol, and Sagar divisions (24 districts), has seen a 69% deficit, while western divisions such as Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Gwalior, Chambal, and Narmadapuram have recorded a 29% shortfall. Out of 55 districts, 45 are in negative rainfall status. Alirajpur has recorded no rainfall, while Bhopal has received the highest rainfall of 4.5 inches. Farmers face sowing difficulties and crop Risk The delayed monsoon has created serious concerns for farmers. Sowing of Kharif crops such as soybean, urad, moong, and tur has been delayed due to insufficient soil moisture. According to senior scientist S.S. Dhakad of Shajapur Krishi Vigyan Kendra, at least 4 inches of rainfall is required for proper sowing, as it ensures adequate soil moisture. Farmers have been advised to sow only after receiving this level of rainfall. In several districts, farmers who have already sown soybean are now facing the risk of seed damage due to lack of water, potentially forcing re-sowing. However, farmers with irrigation facilities are in a relatively better position. District-wise rainfall status Districts with below-normal rainfall- Anuppur, Balaghat, Chhatarpur, Chhindwara, Damoh, Dindori, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Mandla, Mauganj, Narsinghpur, Niwari, Pandhurna, Rewa, Panna, Sagar, Satna, Seoni, Shahdol, Sidhi, Singrauli, Tikamgarh, Umaria, Alirajpur, Barwani, Betul, Bhind, Burhanpur, Datia, Dewas, Dhar, Gwalior, Harda, Indore, Jhabua, Khandwa, Khargone, Narmadapuram, Raisen, Rajgarh, Ratlam, Shivpuri, Ujjain, and Vidisha. Districts with above-normal rainfall- Bhopal, Agar-Malwa, Ashoknagar, Guna, Mandsaur, Morena, Neemuch, Sehore, Shajapur, and Sheopur. Post navigation 5 new MLAs may become ministers in MP cabinet expansion:Three senior ministers likely to see portfolio changes
