Bhopal and Sagar regions experienced rainfall on Thursday, marking the beginning of significant weather changes across Madhya Pradesh. Bhopal witnessed a cloudy sky throughout the day, followed by a brief drizzle in the evening. Similar weather patterns were observed in other parts of the state as unseasonal rain brought relief from rising temperatures.
The sudden shift in weather is attributed to the activation of two cyclonic circulation systems, the passage of a trough, and an active western disturbance. These systems have combined to trigger rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds across multiple regions. According to the Meteorological Department, these conditions will persist until March 22, with fluctuating weather patterns and the possibility of further rain and storms.
A hailstorm alert has been issued for several districts, including Anuppur, Shahdol, Umaria, Dindori, Katni, Mandla, Gwalior, Datia, Bhind, and Morena. Additionally, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are expected in Singrauli, Sidhi, Rewa, Mauganj, Satna, Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Seoni, Balaghat, Panna, Damoh, Sagar, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Maihar, and Pandhurna. Light rain accompanied by thunderstorms is likely to affect Narmadapuram and Betul districts.
On Thursday, heavy cloud cover was reported in Sehore, where light drizzles occurred, while parts of Sagar district experienced moderate rainfall. The sun remained hidden until late morning due to the dense cloud cover. Other districts, including Narmadapuram, Betul, Harda, and Singrauli, also witnessed rainfall and cloudy conditions earlier in the week.
Wind speeds have also increased across the state. On Wednesday night, winds reached 36 km/h in Umaria, 34 km/h in Seoni, and 30 km/h in Shahdol. These strong winds were accompanied by light showers, adding to the unsettled weather. Bhopal remained cloudy throughout the day, with intermittent light rain expected to continue.
Rewa district recorded 2.6 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, with reports of crop damage in several areas due to hail and heavy showers. Farmers in affected regions are expressing concerns over the potential loss of their nearly harvested wheat crops.
The forecast predicts further rain and thunderstorms across the state. Light showers with lightning are expected in Singrauli, Panna, Sidhi, Maihar, South Chhatarpur, Vidisha, North Umaria, Katni, West Rewa, and Mauganj districts by Thursday afternoon. As the evening progresses, other districts, including Sagar, are likely to witness heavy rainfall and hailstorms.
Meteorologists have warned of a sharp temperature drop in the eastern parts of Madhya Pradesh after March 22. Temperatures are expected to decrease by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius, providing temporary relief from the rising heat. However, from March 25, the intensity of the heat will return, with a significant rise in temperatures expected across the state.
The current weather changes are a direct result of the interaction between the cyclonic systems, trough, and western disturbance. These factors will continue to influence the weather in Madhya Pradesh for the next few days, leading to fluctuating conditions before warmer temperatures return later this month.
Residents are advised to stay alert to weather forecasts and prepare for further rain and storms, while farmers remain concerned about potential crop losses due to the unseasonal weather.
