Thunderstorm, rain alert for 46 MP districts:Monsoon to cover rest of state in 2-3 days, Gwalior-Chambal last

The southwest monsoon has entered 15 districts in the south-eastern part of Madhya Pradesh, with the rest of the state expected to come under its influence within the next two to three days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a thunderstorm and rain alert for 46 districts on Thursday. Sidhi may witness heatwave conditions, while Neemuch, Mandsaur, Gwalior, Sheopur, Morena, Bhind, Rewa and Singrauli are likely to experience hot and humid weather. Rain, thunderstorms likely across central and western MP Rain accompanied by strong winds of 40-60 kmph is forecast in Bhopal, Raisen, Sehore, Rajgarh, Vidisha, Indore, Jhabua, Alirajpur, Dhar, Burhanpur, Barwani, Khandwa, Khargone, Ujjain, Ratlam, Agar Malwa, Shajapur, Dewas, Narmadapuram, Betul, Harda, Datia, Shivpuri, Guna, Ashoknagar, Jabalpur, Katni, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Pandhurna, Seoni, Balaghat, Mandla, Dindori, Satna, Sidhi, Mauganj, Maihar, Shahdol, Umaria, Anuppur, Sagar, Panna, Damoh, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh and Niwari. Monsoon reaches 15 districts The IMD has officially declared the onset of the monsoon in Alirajpur, Indore, Harda, Dhar, Betul, Khandwa, Burhanpur, Chhindwara, Pandhurna, Khargone, Seoni, Balaghat, Mandla, Barwani and Dindori. Weather experts said the monsoon is expected to spread across the entire state within the next two to four days. The Gwalior-Chambal region is likely to receive the monsoon last. Wednesday rain brings relief across several cities Monsoon arrives nine days behind schedule IMD predicts below-normal rainfall this season According to the IMD’s seasonal forecast, 47 districts, including Bhopal, Indore and Jabalpur, may receive below-normal rainfall this year. The state is expected to receive 30-32 inches of rain against the seasonal average of 37.3 inches. Rainfall deficit touches 50% Districts with below and above-normal rainfall Below-normal rainfall: Anuppur, Balaghat, Chhatarpur, Chhindwara, Damoh, Dindori, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Mandla, Mauganj, Narsinghpur, Niwari, Pandhurna, Panna, Rewa, Sagar, Satna, Seoni, Shahdol, Sidhi, Singrauli, Tikamgarh, Umaria, Alirajpur, Barwani, Betul, Bhind, Burhanpur, Datia, Dewas, Dhar, Gwalior, Harda, Indore, Jhabua, Khandwa, Khargone, Morena, Narmadapuram, Raisen, Rajgarh, Ratlam, Shajapur, Sehore, Shivpuri, Ujjain and Vidisha. Above-normal rainfall: Bhopal, Ashoknagar, Agar Malwa, Guna, Mandsaur, Neemuch and Sheopur. City-wise weather trends Bhopal: Heat gives way to heavy rain Bhopal typically experiences intense heat in the first half of June before the monsoon sets in. Over the past decade, temperatures crossed 44°C in three years before June 15. The city recorded its highest June rainfall of 16 inches in 2020. Last year, it received 10.9 inches of rain, including nearly 5 inches in a single day. Indore: Cooler June days, steady monsoon showers June usually brings a drop in daytime temperatures in Indore. Between 2020 and 2025, maximum temperatures remained between 39.6°C and 41.6°C. The city generally receives nearly 20% of its seasonal rainfall during June. It recorded 5.5 inches of rainfall last year. Indore’s highest June rainfall remains over 17 inches, recorded in 1980. Gwalior: One of MP’s hottest cities before monsoon Gwalior continues to experience intense heat well into June. The city recorded a maximum temperature of 47.8°C in June 2019, while temperatures crossed 45°C in both 2024 and 2025. Its highest monthly June rainfall—28.5 inches—was recorded in 1952. Jabalpur: Early monsoon ensures healthy June rainfall Jabalpur is among the first cities to receive the monsoon, resulting in good June rainfall almost every year. Between 2016 and 2025, nearly 30% of its seasonal rainfall was recorded in June. The city received more than 8.5 inches of rainfall last year. Ujjain: Consistent June rainfall over the years Ujjain has maintained a steady June rainfall pattern. Between 2016 and 2025, the city received between 2.5 and 8 inches of rainfall during June. Its highest June rainfall was recorded in 1970, while the highest single-day rainfall occurred on June 15, 2001.