Intermittent rain has been falling in Bhopal, Indore and Narmadapuram since Thursday morning. The weather department has issued a heavy to very heavy rain alert for several districts in the next three days.
The drought-like situation in Malwa-Nimar, including Indore and Ujjain, is expected to end. Eight out of 15 districts in these divisions have received less than 14 inches of rainfall so far. In contrast, Guna, Niwari, Mandla and Tikamgarh have recorded over 45 inches.
Indore district has seen the least rainfall this season. Other districts with low figures include Barwani, Burhanpur, Khargone and Khandwa.
Rain on Thursday began with showers in Bhopal and Indore, followed by sunshine. Piparia in Narmadapuram saw heavy and light spells after midnight.
On Wednesday, 17 districts recorded rainfall. Betul’s Malajkhand and Balaghat saw 4.5 inches, while Pachmarhi, Chhindwara and Sagar received half an inch each. Other areas including Guna, Gwalior, Damoh, Mandla, Narsinghpur, Rewa, Satna, Seoni and Sidhi also reported rain.
The forecast shows heavy rain in Betul, Chhindwara, Pandhurna, Indore, Ujjain, Dhar, Barwani, Khargone, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Dewas, Harda, Narmadapuram, Sheopur and Shivpuri. Some places may see up to 4.5 inches in 24 hours.
Madhya Pradesh has so far received 29.9 inches of rain, which is 81% of the 37-inch seasonal average. “The low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal is active, supported by multiple troughs. It will strengthen over the next four days,” said Dr. Divya E. Surendran, senior meteorologist at the Meteorological Department. She expects heavy rainfall in the second half of August, enough to meet the seasonal quota in many districts.
Eastern divisions like Jabalpur, Sagar, Shahdol and Rewa have seen 34% more than average rainfall. Western divisions including Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain and Narmadapuram have 21% more than average. Overall, the state has received 27% more than normal.
Guna tops the rainfall chart this season with 46.2 inches, followed by Mandla at 45.8 inches, Niwari at 45.4 inches, Tikamgarh at 44.9 inches and Ashoknagar at 42.8 inches. Vidisha, Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, Balaghat and Sagar have also crossed the 30-inch mark.
Meteorological Centre scientist PK Raikwar said a low pressure area off northern Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha is expected to deepen and move west-northwest. “Moisture from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal is feeding the rain system. It will bring heavy rainfall to several districts,” he said.
Cyclonic activity has been recorded over Kutch and surrounding regions, with a trough stretching from the Bay of Bengal to the Arabian Sea. These combined systems are triggering widespread rain.
Weather expert Ajay Shukla noted, “Moisture inflow from both coasts has already increased rainfall. Heavy rain in Gwalior, Chambal and Indore divisions is likely.”
Today’s weather forecast
| City | Temperature (°C) | Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Bhopal | 27 | Intermittent rain |
| Indore | 26 | Heavy rain |
| Ujjain | 27 | Heavy rain |
| Narmadapuram | 28 | Heavy rain |
| Betul | 25 | Very heavy rain |
| Chhindwara | 25 | Very heavy rain |
| Guna | 27 | Light to moderate rain |
| Mandla | 26 | Light rain |
| Tikamgarh | 28 | Light rain |
| Barwani | 27 | Heavy rain |
With the system strengthening, officials expect this spell to end rainfall shortages in Indore and Ujjain divisions and boost the state’s seasonal total before the month closes.
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