Monsoon delay leaves MP with 52% rainfall deficit:48 districts, including Indore, Ujjain and Gwalior dry; heatwave alert issued today

Due to the delayed arrival of the monsoon, June has remained unusually dry across Madhya Pradesh. Between 1 June and now, the state was expected to receive an average of 70.9 mm (2.8 inches) of rainfall. However, only 34.3 mm (1.3 inches) has been recorded so far, 52% below normal. A total of 48 districts, including Indore, Ujjain and Gwalior, have received below-normal rainfall. Kharif sowing affected by rainfall deficit The lack of adequate rainfall has slowed the sowing of Kharif crops, particularly soybean. Agricultural scientists say that soil becomes suitable for sowing only after receiving around 4 inches of rainfall. According to current data, Bhopal is the only district to have crossed that mark. The district has already recorded 4.6 inches of rainfall, 53% above normal. Why has rainfall been so low? The normal date for the monsoon’s arrival in Madhya Pradesh is 15 June. However, eight days have already passed beyond that date. Meteorologists now expect the monsoon to enter the state within the next two to three days. An early monsoon arrival is usually accompanied by a spell of heavy rain, which significantly boosts rainfall figures. So far, June has largely witnessed pre-monsoon weather conditions. The eastern region of the state, including the Jabalpur, Rewa, Sagar and Shahdol divisions, has recorded 71% less rainfall than average. In contrast, the western region, comprising the Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Narmadapuram and Gwalior-Chambal divisions, has received 33% less rainfall than normal. District-wise rainfall variation Districts with Below-Normal Rainfall Anuppur, Balaghat, Chhatarpur, Chhindwara, Damoh, Dindori, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Mandla, Mauganj, Narsinghpur, Niwari, Pandhurna, Panna, Rewa, Sagar, Satna, Seoni, Shahdol, Sidhi, Singrauli, Tikamgarh, Umaria, Alirajpur, Barwani, Betul, Bhind, Burhanpur, Datia, Dewas, Dhar, Gwalior, Harda, Indore, Jhabua, Khandwa, Khargone, Morena, Narmadapuram, Raisen, Rajgarh, Ratlam, Shajapur, Sehore, Shivpuri, Ujjain and Vidisha. See, pictures of the rain on Monday Districts with above-normal rainfall Bhopal, Ashoknagar, Agar-Malwa, Guna, Mandsaur, Neemuch and Sheopur. Two inches of rain in Dhar, three-quarters of an inch in Bhopal Pre-monsoon activity continued across the state on Monday. Dhar received around 2 inches of rainfall, while Bhopal recorded three-quarters of an inch. Rain and thunderstorms were also reported in several districts, including Indore, Khandwa, Raisen, Rajgarh, Ujjain, Chhindwara, Jabalpur, Khajuraho, Sagar, Satna, Seoni, Barwani, Shajapur and Sehore. Pachmarhi coolest, Datia hottest According to the Meteorological Department, Pachmarhi was the coolest location in the state on Monday, with a maximum temperature of 31.6°C. Other maximum temperatures recorded were- Dhar: 32.9°C Seoni: 34.2°C Raisen: 35.4°C Shajapur: 35.7°C Datia was the hottest district, recording 42.2°C. Temperatures of 40°C or above were also recorded in Sidhi, Khajuraho, Tikamgarh-Nowgaon and Narsinghpur. Temperatures in the five major cities Indore: 34.7°C Ujjain: 35°C Bhopal: 35.2°C Jabalpur: 36°C Gwalior: 40.2°C Heatwave alert in four districts, rain forecast for 30 districts The Meteorological Department has issued a heatwave alert for Jabalpur, Mandla, Damoh and Umaria on Tuesday. Meanwhile, rain accompanied by strong thunderstorms is likely in- Gwalior, Sheopur, Morena, Bhind, Datia, Shahdol, Anuppur, Dindori, Balaghat, Seoni, Pandhurna, Chhindwara, Narsinghpur, Sagar, Vidisha, Raisen, Narmadapuram, Betul, Bhopal, Sehore, Harda, Dewas, Khandwa, Burhanpur, Khargone, Indore, Dhar, Barwani, Alirajpur and Jhabua. Heat conditions likely to persist in these districts The impact of hot weather is expected to continue in- Neemuch, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Ujjain, Shajapur, Agar-Malwa, Rajgarh, Guna, Ashoknagar, Shivpuri, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Katni, Satna, Maihar, Rewa, Mauganj, Sidhi and Singrauli.