Storm, rain, hail hit MP amid heatwave:Alert in 27 districts, winds to hit 30-50kmph till 6 May; crop stocks soaked

Amid intense summer heat, Madhya Pradesh is also witnessing a fresh spell of storms and rain. On Saturday, winds blew at speeds of 30 to 50 kmph in more than 20 districts, including Bhopal. Some places witnessed hail, while others received rain. According to the Meteorological Centre, Bhopal, similar weather conditions are likely to continue across the state till 6 May. On Sunday, a rain alert has been issued for 27 districts of the state. These include Gwalior, Sheopur, Shivpuri, Morena, Bhind, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna, Rewa, Mauganj, Sidhi, Singrauli, Maihar, Katni, Umaria, Shahdol, Anuppur, Dindori, Jabalpur, Mandla, Balaghat, Seoni, Chhindwara and Pandhurna. Warehouse roof blown off in Raisen Rain lashed Bhopal on Saturday afternoon, while strong winds swept through several villages in Raisen district. In Chhuchar village, the tin roof of Harshiv Warehouse was blown away in the storm. Government stock of moong is stored in the warehouse, which has a capacity of 5,000 metric tonnes. In Bareli and Badi, government procurement has been affected after grain belonging to farmers got soaked in the rain. In Sehore’s Ichhawar, Bordi, Jhalki and Bhaukhedi, rain accompanied strong winds. In Bordi, crops loaded in tractor-trolleys lined up for nearly 2 kilometres at procurement centres got drenched. See, three pictures In Sehore, a tree fell on the road at Jakhakhedi on Shyampur Road. In Biaora, strong winds blew away flex boards from shops. In Pipariya, a dust storm swept through at around 4 pm, followed by light drizzle. In Balaghat, heavy rain began after thunder and lightning around 1.30 pm. A tree inside the municipal premises was uprooted by strong winds and fell on a motorcycle parked below, crushing it. This time May begins with storms and rain Usually, May in Madhya Pradesh is marked by severe heat, but this year the month has begun with storms and rain. Similar weather is expected to continue for the next four days, till 6 May, across the state. According to meteorologists, two trough systems are responsible for the sudden change in weather. Weather trend in May in 5 major cities of MP… Heat-Rain trend in Bhopal Over the last 10 years, Bhopal has witnessed both intense heat and rain during May. In 2016, the mercury climbed to 46.7°C, the city’s highest-ever recorded temperature. The city also regularly receives rain during this month. From 2014 to 2023, rainfall was recorded every year in May. In 2021 and 2023, Bhopal received more than 2 inches of rain. Rain has been forecast this May as well. 3 inches of rain fell in Indore in 2023 In Indore, temperatures have crossed 46°C in the past. According to the Meteorological Department, such a high was recorded on 31 May 1994. May often brings changing weather to the city, with cloud cover and showers. Last year, 3 inches of rain was recorded through the month. Between 2014 and 2023, rainfall was recorded in 9 out of 10 years. Mercury has crossed 48 degrees in Gwalior The heat trend in Gwalior is harsher than in most other cities. Over the last decade, temperatures crossed 47°C once and 46°C three times. The city’s all-time highest temperature of 48.3°C was recorded on 30 May 1947. Gwalior also has a history of heavy May rainfall. On 17 May 1953, the city recorded its highest-ever 24-hour rainfall of 41.9 mm, or more than 1.5 inches. In 2023, Gwalior received 2.5 inches of rain. Temperature has crossed 45 degrees 3 times in Jabalpur In Jabalpur, the mercury touched 46.7°C on 25 May 1954. Over the last 10 years, temperatures have crossed 45°C three times. The city also sees a regular rainfall pattern in May. From 2014 to 2023, rain was recorded every year. In 2021, Jabalpur received more than 3 inches of rain through the month. Last year, it recorded 2 inches. Heat and rain trend in Ujjain too Ujjain too witnesses both intense heat and rainfall during May. On 22 May 2010, the city recorded a high of 46°C. Between 2014 and 2023, temperatures crossed 45°C once. However, last year the mercury did not rise above 42.4°C. The city also received nearly three-fourths of an inch of rain during the month.