Monsoon batters MP, rainfall 10% above normal:Heavy rain likely across Gwalior-Chambal region, red alert issued for Bhind

Madhya Pradesh is witnessing an intense spell of monsoon rainfall, with an active weather system triggering widespread showers across the state. Heavy rain lashed more than 20 districts on Wednesday, disrupting normal life, flooding roads and causing several routes to remain closed. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Red Alert for Bhind on Thursday, warning of extremely heavy rainfall. Orange Alerts have been issued for Morena, Gwalior, Datia, Shivpuri, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Rajgarh, Agar Malwa and Ratlam due to the possibility of heavy rain. Heavy rain expected across Northern and Central MP The IMD has also forecast heavy rainfall in Neemuch, Ujjain, Shajapur, Sheopur, Guna, Ashoknagar, Vidisha, Sagar, Damoh, Chhatarpur and Panna. Rain is also likely in Bhopal, Raisen, Sehore, Indore, Jhabua, Alirajpur, Dhar, Burhanpur, Barwani, Khandwa, Khargone, Dewas, Narmadapuram, Betul, Harda, Jabalpur, Katni, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Pandhurna, Seoni, Balaghat, Mandla, Dindori, Rewa, Satna, Sidhi, Singrauli, Mauganj, Maihar, Shahdol, Umaria and Anuppur. According to the forecast, northern Madhya Pradesh is expected to remain drenched over the next 24 hours. Rain disrupts daily life across districts Heavy rainfall on Wednesday caused rivers and streams to overflow in several districts. In Sendhwa, overflowing rivers disrupted normal life in rural areas. In Shajapur, teachers risked their lives by crossing a flooded stream to reach school. In Ratlam, an underpass was submerged due to waterlogging. The IMD recorded nearly 1.75 inches of rainfall in Damoh, 1.1 inches in Narmadapuram, around 0.75 inches in Khajuraho and Tikamgarh, and about 0.5 inches in Jabalpur, Khargone and Betul. Rain was also reported from Datia, Dhar, Gwalior, Khandwa, Ratlam, Sheopur, Ujjain, Chhindwara, Mandla, Narsinghpur, Nowgong, Sagar, Satna, Seoni, Balaghat, Mandsaur, Shajapur, Panna, Barwani, Dewas and Sehore. Temperatures drop across the state Persistent rainfall has brought down daytime temperatures across Madhya Pradesh. Among the state’s major cities: The highest maximum temperature was recorded in Sidhi at 33.6°C, while Chhindwara recorded the lowest at 25.4°C. State records 10% above-normal rainfall Although June ended with rainfall nearly 30% below normal, the first eight days of July have not only erased the deficit but pushed seasonal rainfall above average. According to IMD data: Rainfall distribution remains uneven: July expected to deliver one-third of seasonal rainfall The IMD says July is traditionally the wettest month of the southwest monsoon in Madhya Pradesh, accounting for nearly one-third of the state’s seasonal rainfall. For example: Around 40% of the state’s annual monsoon rainfall typically occurs during July. Dewas leads rainfall chart Dewas has emerged as the state’s wettest district this monsoon. The district has received 18 inches of rainfall, which is 138% above normal. Other districts with significant rainfall include: Districts such as Agar Malwa, Ashoknagar, Betul, Burhanpur, Guna, Khandwa, Khargone, Mandsaur, Narmadapuram, Neemuch, Raisen, Rajgarh, Ratlam, Shajapur, Ujjain, Vidisha, Anuppur, Balaghat, Damoh, Dindori, Jabalpur, Mandla, Pandhurna, Panna, Sagar, Seoni and Umaria have also recorded healthy rainfall this season. In contrast, Alirajpur has received the least rainfall so far, at just over 2.25 inches. State’s normal rainfall stands at 37.3 inches The normal annual rainfall for Madhya Pradesh is 37.3 inches. Among the major cities, Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur and Gwalior each receive approximately 38 to 39 inches of rainfall annually.