IMD issues red alert for 7 MP districts:Gwalior-Chambal and Sagar likely hottest amid severe heatwave

Madhya Pradesh is witnessing peak summer conditions, with several cities turning into virtual furnaces. Khajuraho, Nowgong, Niwari, Datia and Rajgarh were among the hottest locations as temperatures continued to soar across the state. On Wednesday, temperatures crossed 44 degrees Celsius in 16 cities. Khajuraho emerged as the hottest city in the state, recording a blistering 47.4°C. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this is the highest temperature ever recorded in Khajuraho during May. The previous record was 46.9°C on April 29, 1993. Nowgong was the second hottest city with a maximum temperature of 46.6°C. Damoh recorded 46°C, Mandla 45.6°C, Satna 45.3°C, Morena 45°C, Tikamgarh 44.8°C, Umaria 44.7°C, Rewa 44.5°C, while Sagar, Narsinghpur and Malajkhand recorded 44.4°C each. Raisen recorded 44.2°C and Datia touched 44°C. Among the state’s five major cities, Jabalpur was the hottest at 44.9°C, followed by Gwalior at 44.3°C, Bhopal at 42.6°C, Ujjain at 42°C and Indore at 41.1°C. Red alert for severe heatwave in 7 districts The IMD’s Bhopal Meteorological Centre has issued a heatwave alert across the entire state for Thursday. A severe heatwave red alert has been declared in seven districts — Bhind, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna and Satna. Maximum temperatures in these districts may remain at or above 45°C. An orange alert for severe heat conditions has also been issued for Bhopal, Gwalior, Sheopur, Morena, Shivpuri, Guna, Ashoknagar, Vidisha, Sagar, Raisen, Damoh, Katni, Maihar, Rewa, Mauganj, Sidhi, Singrauli, Ratlam and Jhabua. Meanwhile, a yellow alert for heatwave conditions has been issued in Indore, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Neemuch, Mandsaur, Alirajpur, Agar Malwa, Rajgarh, Shajapur, Sehore, Dewas, Harda, Khandwa, Khargone, Barwani, Dhar, Narmadapuram, Pandhurna, Chhindwara, Narsinghpur, Seoni, Balaghat, Mandla, Dindori, Anuppur, Umaria and Shahdol, where temperatures are expected to hover between 43°C and 44°C. Extreme heat to continue for four more days The weather department has forecast intense heat conditions across Madhya Pradesh until May 23. Residents are unlikely to get any relief from the scorching temperatures during this period. The forecast also coincides with the onset of Nautapa — traditionally considered the hottest nine-day period of summer — during which severe heat is expected across Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Gwalior, Jabalpur and the rest of the state. Advisory: Avoid going out between noon and 3 PM With extreme heat persisting for the last two days, the weather department has advised people to avoid stepping outdoors during peak afternoon hours. Meteorologist HS Pandey said the impact of the heatwave would be most severe between 12 pm and 3 pm. People have been advised to leave their homes only if absolutely necessary during this period. The IMD has also urged residents to stay hydrated by drinking sufficient water throughout the day, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, and wear light-coloured cotton clothes. Special care has been advised for children and the elderly. Rain, storms and hail dominated most of May Before the current heatwave, Madhya Pradesh experienced an extended spell of stormy weather and rainfall beginning April 30. Continuous rainfall was recorded across the state for 11 straight days until May 10 due to the impact of western disturbances, cyclonic circulations and trough systems. Although the rain spell weakened after May 11, several parts of the state continued to witness thunderstorms, rainfall and hailstorms between May 12 and May 18. As a result, weather activity was recorded on 15 out of the first 20 days of May. No rainfall alert has been issued for Wednesday.