Rain alert in 21 MP districts today:Weather to remain similar across state for next four days

Amid an ongoing spell of intense summer heat, several parts of Madhya Pradesh are witnessing sudden weather changes, including thunderstorms, rainfall, and even hailstorms. Over the past two days, more than half of the state’s districts have been affected. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a rain alert for 21 districts, including Gwalior, for Saturday. Wind speeds during this period are expected to range between 30 and 50 km/h. 21 Districts Under Rain and Thunderstorm Alert Districts likely to witness thunderstorms and rainfall include Gwalior, Sheopur, Morena, Bhind, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna, Maihar, Jabalpur, Seoni, Mandla, Balaghat, Dindori, Anuppur, Guna, Ashoknagar, Neemuch, and Mandsaur. In the last two days alone, 35 districts across the state have experienced rain, hail, or strong winds. Weather conditions remained unstable in several areas even on Friday, leading to a noticeable drop in daytime temperatures. Heat Persists in Several Other Regions While parts of the state are receiving rain, districts including Bhopal, Raisen, Sehore, Rajgarh, Vidisha, Indore, Dhar, Alirajpur, Burhanpur, Barwani, Khandwa, Khargone, Jhabua, Ujjain, Agar Malwa, Shajapur, Dewas, Ratlam, Sagar, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Pandhurna, Katni, Umaria, Shahdol, Rewa, Mauganj, Sidhi, Narmadapuram, Betul, Harda, and Singrauli continue to experience heat. However, weather conditions may change in some of these areas later in the afternoon, particularly in Bhopal, Narmadapuram, Rewa, and Shahdol divisions. Recent Weather: Rain in Jabalpur, Highest Temperature in Khandwa On Friday, the state witnessed a mix of rainfall and heat. Light showers were recorded in Jabalpur and Damoh. Meanwhile, Khandwa recorded the highest temperature at 43.1°C. Other notable temperatures included: Among the five major cities, only Ujjain crossed the 40°C mark. IMD data recorded: Unusual Start to May with Rain and Storms Typically, May in Madhya Pradesh is marked by extreme heat. However, this year has begun with rain and thunderstorms instead. According to IMD, this pattern is likely to continue for the next four days, until May 5. Meteorologists attribute the change to a cyclonic circulation system, which has disrupted normal weather patterns. Additionally, a western disturbance is active over the Himalayan region and is expected to move forward, sustaining the current spell of storms and rainfall. This unstable weather has already contributed to a major incident in Jabalpur, where a cruise capsized at Bargi Dam during strong winds on Thursday evening, leading to multiple casualties. Weather trends in major cities Bhopal: Mix of heat and rain In recent years, Bhopal has witnessed both extreme heat and rainfall during May. The temperature reached an all-time high of 46.7°C in 2016. Rainfall has also been consistent, with showers recorded every year from 2014 to 2023. In 2021 and 2023, rainfall exceeded two inches. Similar conditions are expected this year. Indore: Significant rainfall in recent years Indore has also seen temperatures exceeding 46°C in May, with 46°C recorded on May 31, 1994. Weather fluctuations, including cloud cover and rainfall, are common. In 2023, the city recorded about three inches of rainfall during the month. Rain has been recorded in nine out of the last ten years. Gwalior: Among the hottest cities Gwalior typically experiences more intense heat compared to other cities. In the past decade, temperatures have crossed 47°C once and exceeded 46°C three times. The all-time high remains 48.3°C, recorded on May 30, 1947. The city has also witnessed heavy rainfall events, including 41.9 mm in 24 hours on May 17, 1953. In 2023, about 2.5 inches of rain was recorded. Jabalpur: High temperatures with regular rainfall Jabalpur has recorded temperatures up to 46.7°C, notably on May 25, 1954. In the past decade, temperatures have crossed 45°C three times. Rainfall is also a recurring feature, with showers recorded every year from 2014 to 2023. In 2021, rainfall exceeded three inches, while last year saw around two inches. Ujjain: Consistent pattern of heat and rain Ujjain also experiences both high temperatures and rainfall in May. The highest recorded temperature was 46°C on May 22, 2010. While temperatures crossed 45°C once between 2014 and 2023, last year they remained below 42.4°C. The city also received around three-quarters of an inch of rainfall.