Heavy rain alert for 7 districts in MP:Extreme showers likely in Balaghat, Dindori; monsoon to advance further in 2-4 days

Heavy rainfall is likely in Dewas, Harda, Betul, Pandhurna and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday. The Meteorological Department has also issued an alert for extremely heavy rainfall in Balaghat and Dindori. The state witnessed frequent spells of rain and thunderstorms throughout June. During the month, a total of 88.2 mm (3.5 inches) of rainfall was recorded, which is 33% below the normal rainfall of 131.1 mm (5.1 inches). Meanwhile, the monsoon advanced further on Tuesday and covered most districts of the Jabalpur, Bhopal, Rewa and Shahdol divisions. Meteorologist Arun Sharma said that the monsoon is expected to reach the remaining districts of the Bhopal, Sagar, Gwalior, Ujjain and Chambal divisions within the next two to four days. Rain and thunderstorm alert in these districts Rain accompanied by strong winds is likely in Bhopal, Raisen, Sehore, Rajgarh, Vidisha, Indore, Jhabua, Alirajpur, Dhar, Burhanpur, Barwani, Khandwa, Khargone, Ujjain, Shajapur, Narmadapuram, Gwalior, Sheopur, Morena, Bhind, Datia, Shivpuri, Guna, Ashoknagar, Jabalpur, Katni, Narsinghpur, Seoni, Mandla, Rewa, Satna, Sidhi, Singrauli, Mauganj, Maihar, Shahdol, Umaria, Sagar, Panna, Damoh, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh and Niwari. Light rainfall is expected in Neemuch, Mandsaur, Agar-Malwa and Ratlam. See, where and how the weather changed on Tuesday… 3 killed by lightning in MP, 4 burnt, 2 people swept away in Betul With the monsoon becoming active, rain and thunderstorms intensified across the state on Tuesday. In Harda, 32-year-old farmer Pradeep Rathore died after being struck by lightning. In Khargone, Radheshyam (30) and homemaker Kenu (30) also lost their lives after being hit by lightning. In Betul’s Chuna Gosai village, Sukhdev Yadav, his wife Geetabai, daughter Sandhya and son Naitik suffered injuries due to a lightning strike. In Betul’s Chicholi area, the Champa River is in spate. Rajesh Bihare and Daddu Dhurve, residents of Sipalai village, were swept away along with their motorcycle while attempting to cross a causeway. Their bodies were found in bushes nearly a kilometre away on Tuesday morning. Heavy rain started in Balaghat after 2 pm on Tuesday. Waterlogging was reported in Satna and Maihar. In Dewas, two girls riding a scooter fell into a drain during heavy rainfall, but were rescued by locals. In Ichhawar area of Sehore, water entered houses and shops. In protest, Congress councillor Junaid Khan floated on a tube in the water. In Ward-8 of Dindori municipality, clogged drains led to knee-deep water accumulation, which entered homes and shops. In Amarpatan area of Maihar district, the mud house of Geeta Saket near the electricity office was also inundated with knee-deep water. Satna records 1.5 inches rainfall; showers in 23 districts including Bhopal and Indore Rainfall was recorded in 23 districts of the state on Tuesday. Satna received one-and-a-half inches of rain. Rain was also reported in Bhopal, Betul, Dhar, Narmadapuram, Indore, Khargone, Chhindwara, Jabalpur, Mandla, Rewa, Sagar, Satna, Seoni, Sidhi, Balaghat, Pandhurna, Sehore, Shajapur, Dindori, Harda and Maihar. The spell of rain and thunderstorms has brought down daytime temperatures. Among the five major cities, Bhopal recorded 30.6°C, Indore 33°C, Gwalior 40°C, Ujjain 35°C and Jabalpur 32°C. Betul remained the coolest at 26.2°C, followed by Seoni at 27°C, Chhindwara at 28.2°C, Damoh at 28.4°C, Malajkhand at 28.5°C, Khandwa at 29.1°C, Sagar at 29.2°C, and Mandla and Khargone at 31.6°C. Less rain in June, hopes pinned on July According to the Meteorological Department, rainfall remained below normal in June, but expectations are high for July. Historically, nearly one-third of the monsoon rainfall is received during this month. For instance, Bhopal receives around 39 inches of annual rainfall, of which nearly 14 inches fall in July alone. Jabalpur records the highest July rainfall among major cities, receiving more than 17 inches. Nearly 40% of the state’s seasonal rainfall is generally recorded in July. The state’s normal rainfall is 37.3 inches The state’s average annual rainfall stands at 37.3 inches. Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur and Gwalior receive between 38 and 39 inches of rainfall annually. Less/more than normal rainfall in these districts July rainfall trends in MP’s five major cities Indore recorded 11.5 inches rainfall in 24 hours Indore holds a record of receiving 11.5 inches of rain within 24 hours, recorded on July 27, 1913. In 1973, the city received 30.5 inches of rainfall during the entire month of July. Indore’s average rainfall in July is around 12 inches, spread across nearly 13 rainy days. Bhopal holds a record of 41 inches rainfall in July Bhopal experiences heavy rainfall during July. The city recorded 1,031.4 mm, or nearly 41 inches, of rainfall in July 1986. The highest rainfall in a single day was recorded on July 22, 1973, when 11 inches of rain fell. On average, Bhopal receives rainfall on 15 days during July, meaning it rains almost every alternate day. The city’s average rainfall during the month stands at 367.7 mm, or 14.4 inches. Day temperatures remain around 30°C, while night temperatures stay below 25°C during this period. Jabalpur records the highest rainfall among major cities Among the state’s major cities, Jabalpur receives the highest rainfall. In 1930, it recorded nearly 45 inches of rain during July, while 13.5 inches fell in just 24 hours on July 30, 1915. The city received more than 13 inches of rainfall in July last year, while exceptionally high rainfall was also recorded in 2013 and 2016. Jabalpur’s normal July rainfall is around 17 inches, with rain occurring on 15 to 16 days during the month. Gwalior records lower rainfall Compared to Bhopal, Indore and Jabalpur, Gwalior receives comparatively less rainfall. Over the last decade, the city has recorded less than eight inches of rain in July on six occasions, against its average of nearly nine inches. The highest monthly rainfall in Gwalior was recorded in 1935, when 623.3 mm, or 24.5 inches, of rain was received. The highest rainfall in 24 hours was recorded on July 12, 2015, when 190.6 mm, or around 7.5 inches, of rain fell. Gwalior receives rainfall on an average of 11 days during July. Ujjain receives heavy rainfall in July Like other cities in Madhya Pradesh, Ujjain also receives significant rainfall in July. Nearly 40% of its seasonal rainfall is generally recorded during this month.