The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rain alert for Khargone and Barwani districts over the next 24 hours. Light showers are expected in other districts, while Bhopal and Indore will remain cloudy with drizzle. Several parts of the state will see clear skies and sunshine.
IMD said three cyclonic circulations are currently active near Madhya Pradesh. Their impact has been limited, but local systems have triggered scattered rainfall. “The cyclone over Vidarbha and Jharkhand is driving the current weather. Some districts may see thunderstorms along with showers,” said Ajay Shukla, weather expert at the Meteorological Center in Bhopal.
Madhya Pradesh Sees Surplus Rain
The state has recorded 42.4 inches of rain since the monsoon arrived on June 16. The seasonal average is 37 inches, meaning Madhya Pradesh has already received 7 inches more than expected.
On Tuesday, heavy rain hit Itarsi, and streets in Chhindwara were flooded within hours. Shopkeeper Mahesh Yadav in Chhindwara said the situation disrupted daily life. “Customers could not reach us. Water filled the road in front of my shop so quickly that traffic stopped,” he said.
Despite the overall surplus, rainfall has been uneven. Eastern districts such as Jabalpur, Rewa, Sagar, and Shahdol have seen heavy rain, leading to flooding in Mandla, Tikamgarh, and Umaria. Mandla alone has received 59 inches.
In contrast, western districts remain dry. Khargone reported just 25.9 inches, the lowest in the state. Barwani received 27.3 inches. Burhanpur, Khandwa, and Shajapur also recorded less than 28 inches each.
The Gwalior-Chambal region has fared better, with all eight districts surpassing their average. Sheopur recorded 56.3 inches, and Shivpuri 54.3 inches.
Officials confirmed that the monsoon has begun to retreat. It has already withdrawn from parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana. Withdrawal from Madhya Pradesh will start on September 30.
The IMD expects rain today in at least 25 districts, including Indore, Dhar, Jhabua, Barwani, Khargone, Jabalpur, Katni, Seoni, Chhindwara, Balaghat, Rewa, Satna, and Shahdol. Thunderstorms may occur in parts of Bhopal and Narmadapuram divisions.
The variation in rainfall has affected temperatures across the state. Gwalior recorded the highest at 35.7 degrees Celsius, while rain-hit eastern districts remained cooler.
Key cities Temperature
| City | Temperature (°C) | Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Bhopal | 31 | Cloudy, drizzle likely |
| Indore | 30 | Cloudy, light rain |
| Jabalpur | 29 | Rain, thunderstorms |
| Khargone | 32 | Heavy rain alert |
| Barwani | 33 | Heavy rain alert |
| Chhindwara | 28 | Showers, waterlogging |
| Gwalior | 35.7 | Hot, mostly sunny |
| Mandla | 29 | Steady rain |
| Rewa | 30 | Rain with lightning |
| Shahdol | 29 | Widespread rain |
The IMD has not issued a state-wide heavy rain warning for the next three days. But officials caution that local systems could trigger sudden downpours. Emergency teams are on standby in flood-prone districts.
Madhya Pradesh has already completed its seasonal rainfall quota. With the monsoon expected to retreat by the end of the month, districts are likely to see mixed weather — heavy showers in some areas and clear skies in others.
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