The moderate weather conditions prevailing across Madhya Pradesh are expected to change abruptly, posing a serious concern for farmers who are in the final stages of harvesting their fully ripened wheat crop. The unpredictable weather may cause significant damage to crops, as thunderstorms, strong winds, rainfall, and lightning are expected to affect several parts of the state over the next three days.
According to the Meteorological Department, the changing weather patterns are a result of multiple active systems, including a Western Disturbance over Afghanistan and an upper air cyclonic circulation over Southwest Rajasthan. Additionally, a trough stretching from central Odisha to southern Vidarbha across south Chhattisgarh is contributing to the unstable weather. These systems are expected to cause storms with wind speeds ranging from 40 to 50 km per hour, accompanied by rain and thunderstorms in various districts.
In the next 24 hours, light rain and thunderstorms with lightning are likely in districts including Narmadapuram, Betul, Harda, Guna, Ashoknagar, Singrauli, Sidhi, Mauganj, Shahdol, Umaria, Dindori, Katni, Mandla, and Maihar. Additionally, light rain is expected in 13 districts, including Jabalpur and Mandla. An alert for severe weather, including strong storms and heavy rain, has been issued for Gwalior, Jabalpur, Rewa, Shahdol, Chambal, and Sagar divisions on March 20 and 21.
The wind speed is anticipated to increase significantly, ranging from 30 to 50 km per hour, far above the usual 10 to 12 km per hour. This sharp rise in wind velocity could lead to structural damage and worsen the impact on crops already at risk from heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
On March 20, a thunderstorm accompanied by strong winds and rain is expected to affect multiple districts. These include Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Sheopur, Morena, Bhind, Datia, Shivpuri, Ashoknagar, Vidisha, Sehore, Raisen, Sagar, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Damoh, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Pandhurna, Balaghat, Seoni, Mandla, Dindori, Anuppur, Umaria, Shahdol, Katni, Maihar, Panna, Satna, Rewa, Mauganj, Sidhi, and Singrauli.
The adverse weather conditions are likely to persist through March 21, bringing continued rainfall and thunderstorms to several regions. Affected areas on this day are expected to include Jabalpur, Shivpuri, Ashoknagar, Vidisha, Sehore, Raisen, Sagar, Damoh, Satna, Rewa, Maihar, Katni, Umaria, Shahdol, Anuppur, Dindori, Mandla, Seoni, and Balaghat.
In Bhopal, there was light drizzle on Wednesday evening as the effects of the approaching weather systems began to be felt. The city recorded a daytime temperature of 35.8 degrees Celsius, while the nighttime temperature dropped to 17.8 degrees Celsius. The Meteorological Department has warned that thunderstorms and heavy rains may continue in and around Bhopal in the coming hours.
Despite the widespread weather warnings, certain regions are expected to remain unaffected by these conditions. According to the Meteorological Department’s latest forecast, the Indore, Ujjain, and Narmadapuram divisions are unlikely to experience rain, storms, or thunderstorms during the three-day period from March 19 to 21.
The current weather instability is attributed to several interacting atmospheric systems. A Western Disturbance positioned over Afghanistan, coupled with an upper air cyclonic circulation over Southwest Rajasthan, is driving the sudden shift in conditions. Additionally, a trough extending from central Odisha to southern Vidarbha is intensifying the moisture influx, leading to the development of thunderstorms and heavy winds across Madhya Pradesh.
