Madhya Pradesh has received 40 inches of rain so far this monsoon, about 108 percent of the expected quota. With 25 days left in the season, the figure is set to rise further. This is the second consecutive year the state has recorded higher-than-usual rainfall.
On Thursday, more than 35 districts witnessed showers. Indore recorded the highest at 60 mm, or 2.3 inches. Ratlam received over 2 inches. Several other districts, including Bhopal, Ujjain, Khandwa, and Jabalpur, also reported steady rain.
The Meteorological Department has issued alerts for the coming days. Ratlam, Jhabua, and Alirajpur are on orange alert for extremely heavy rainfall, with up to 8.5 inches expected. A yellow alert has been issued for Neemuch, Mandsaur, Indore, Ujjain, Dhar, Barwani, Khargone, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Dewas, Rajgarh, Guna, Betul, Chhindwara, and Pandhurna. These districts may see 2.5 to 4.5 inches of rain in 24 hours.
“Four systems are active across the state, including a monsoon trough, a low-pressure area, and cyclonic circulation,” said Dr. Divya E. Surendran, senior scientist at the Meteorological Department. “These systems are causing widespread rainfall, and the situation is likely to continue for at least two more days.”
Flooded Cities and Rising Rivers
The impact of the downpour has been visible in urban and rural areas. In Ratlam, water submerged platform number 4 at the railway station. Colonies such as Janta Colony and Jawahar Nagar were flooded, leaving residents struggling with waterlogged homes.
In Ujjain, the Kshipra River rose sharply, submerging temples along the ghats. “Water has reached the domes of the temples. We haven’t seen such a level in years,” said Ramesh Sharma, a priest at Ram Ghat.
Bhopal’s big pond has nearly reached its full capacity. The water level touched 1666.20 feet, just below the danger mark of 1666.80 feet. Authorities may open the gates of the Bhadbhada Dam to release excess water.
Shajapur district experienced power outages in eight villages after lightning struck a substation in Madana village. Residents spent hours without electricity as repair teams worked in heavy rain.
Several dams have opened gates to manage the water flow. Twenty-one gates of Omkareshwar and Indira Sagar dams in Khandwa were opened, along with 15 gates of Bargi in Jabalpur and six gates of Yashwant Sagar in Indore. Smaller dams in Shivpuri, Ratlam, Raisen, Mandsaur, and Itarsi also released water.
While Guna has recorded the highest rainfall at 62.9 inches, districts in Indore and Ujjain divisions remain at the lower end. Khargone received only 24.7 inches, followed closely by Khandwa at 24.9 inches and Barwani at 25.2 inches.
“Rainfall has not been uniform,” explained Dr. Surendran. “Some areas have seen excess, while others are facing below-average figures. The eastern and northern belts have received much more than the west.”
Weather Update in Key Cities
| City | Temperature (°C) | Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Bhopal | 27 | Heavy rain, dam gates may open |
| Indore | 26 | Moderate to heavy rain |
| Ujjain | 26 | River rising, flooding risk |
| Ratlam | 25 | Very heavy rain alert |
| Jabalpur | 27 | Light to moderate showers |
| Guna | 26 | Continued heavy rain |
| Khargone | 28 | Scattered light rain |
With four active weather systems, the rains are expected to continue. Authorities are monitoring rivers and dams to prevent flooding in major towns.
Residents in flood-prone areas have been advised to remain alert. For many, the rains bring both relief and risk.
Support us to keep independent environmental journalism alive in India.
Keep Reading
Indore Startup Swaaha takes the lead in making Amarnath Yatra eco-friendly
Amarnath Yatra: Tackling rising death toll from extreme weather events
Amarnath yatra pilgrims urinating in Sindh river: A threat to environment
IMD operationalizes Banihal Doppler weather radar to detect high-impact weather events
Stay connected with Ground Report for underreported environmental stories.
Follow us onX, Instagram, and Facebook; share your thoughts at greport2018@gmail.com; subscribe to our weekly newsletter for deep dives from the margins; join ourWhatsApp communityfor real-time updates; and catch our video reports on YouTube.
Your support amplifies voices too often overlooked, thank you for being part of the movement.
