Madhya Pradesh braces for heatwave with possible rain in March

The weather in Madhya Pradesh remains fluctuating. Despite daytime sunshine, night temperatures are above normal. The Meteorological Department predicts increased heat and possible rain in the first week of March. The month will see a mix of hot winds (loo), cloud cover, and light rain.

Madhya Pradesh weather: Heat, rain, clouds, hot winds

In the first week, the sky will be cloudy. By the fourth week, hot winds (loo) are expected in Indore, Ujjain, Gwalior, Chambal, Sagar, and Rewa divisions, possibly lasting 3 to 4 days.

Some districts may see light rainfall after March 20. The western disturbance will bring cloud cover and rain in the first and third weeks of March, with temperatures reaching 45 degrees Celsius. A 3 to 4-day heatwave is likely in Indore, Gwalior, Chambal, Sagar, Rewa, and nearby areas, with possible light rain at the end of March.

A senior scientist at the Bhopal Meteorological Department expects March to receive below-normal rainfall. However, temperatures will be higher, and hot winds (loo) will affect the state earlier than expected.

On Saturday-Sunday night, strong winds blew across 24 villages in Morena district. Rain and chickpea-sized hailstones were reported. Many villages, including Mrigpura, Leela Ka Pura, Maithana, Hansraj Ka Pura, Bandha, Nayak Pura, and Ajit Pura in Sumawali, Dimni, and Ambah areas, saw crop damage.

From March 15, temperatures in several cities are expected to exceed 40°C, intensifying hot winds. The Meteorological Department predicts April and May will be the hottest months. Temperatures in Gwalior, Chambal, Jabalpur, Rewa, Shahdol, and Sagar divisions may surpass 45°C. Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, and Narmadapuram will also experience extreme heat.

In early March, light rainfall is expected, and Gwalior-Chambal divisions may record the highest temperatures. Drizzle is likely in Bhopal, Indore, and Ujjain. According to HS Pandey from the Meteorological Department, multiple western disturbances may become active in the state within the next 24 hours, leading to light rain in the eastern and northern parts.

Thunderstorms may affect Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, and Gwalior divisions. Some areas may see thunderstorms, while the rest of the state will stay dry. Recent temperature records show Bhopal, Narmadapuram, Gwalior, Jabalpur, and Shahdol divisions had temperatures about three degrees above normal. In Rewa and Sagar divisions, the temperature rose between 3.5 and 4.5 degrees Celsius above average. Minimum temperatures in Indore, Narmadapuram, Ujjain, Jabalpur, and Sagar divisions increased by 1.7 to 2.4 degrees Celsius.

Ujjain records lowest minimum temperature

Among the five major cities, Ujjain recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 15.7 degrees Celsius. Other cities recorded:

• Bhopal: 16.2°C

• Jabalpur: 17°C

• Indore: 17.6°C

• Gwalior: 17.8°C

With March marking the onset of summer, the next four months will see rising temperatures. The weather department estimates hot winds (loo) for 15 to 20 days between March and May, peaking in April and May, and lasting 30 to 35 days.

Temperature and AQI data