MP weather system active, rain hits 42 districts:Eastern districts to receive more showers today

A strong weather system, including a cyclonic circulation and multiple troughs, has remained active over Madhya Pradesh for the past 72 hours, causing widespread rain, hailstorms, and strong winds across more than 42 districts. According to the Meteorological Department, the system has been active since March 18 and continuesww to impact weather conditions on Friday. Senior scientist Dr. Divya E. Surendran said that three troughs and one cyclonic circulation led to sudden weather changes across the state. Rain and hail in 42 districts In the last 24 hours, rainfall was recorded in around 112 towns and cities across districts including Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Dhar, Betul, and Sagar. Heavy rainfall was reported in areas like Badnawar (Dhar) and Ghoda Dongri (Betul), while several districts including Alirajpur, Jhabua, Khandwa, Vidisha, and Chhindwara witnessed hailstorms. Strong winds, reaching up to 74 km/h, have caused significant damage to crops such as wheat, banana, papaya, and orange. Rain alert in eastern districts The weather system is expected to move further east on Saturday, bringing rainfall to districts like Rewa and Singrauli. A total of 14 eastern districts remain under alert. Sharp drop in temperature Unseasonal rain and cloud cover have led to a noticeable drop in temperatures across the state. In Gwalior, the daytime temperature dropped to 23.9°C, marking a sharp fall of 10.6 degrees in a single day. The difference between day and night temperatures narrowed to just 4.7 degrees. Several cities, including Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, and Rewa, recorded temperature drops of 5°C or more. Khajuraho saw the highest drop of 10.9 degrees. More weather activity expected The current system is expected to remain active until March 21. Another western disturbance may become active from March 22, though it is likely to be weaker. A fresh weather system is expected around March 26, which may bring rain again to the state. Unusual weather pattern this season The state has already witnessed multiple spells of rain and hailstorms in February and March, causing repeated damage to crops. March, typically the beginning of summer, has seen unexpected weather fluctuations this year, with alternating heat and rainfall patterns. Mixed weather trends across major cities Cities like Bhopal and Indore have recorded both rising temperatures and rainfall during March. Gwalior has shown a mix of heat, cold, and rain trends, while Jabalpur continues to experience cooler nights. Ujjain, on the other hand, has hot days but also occasional rainfall. Impact on agriculture and daily life The ongoing weather disturbances have severely impacted agriculture, especially standing crops. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as farmers face losses due to hailstorms and strong winds.