Madhya Pradesh moved from storms to a scorching heat wave almost overnight. After continuous rain and thunderstorms from April 30 to May 10, temperatures began rising sharply across the state on Monday.
Ratlam recorded 45 degrees Celsius on both Monday and Tuesday, the highest in the state for the second consecutive day. The IMD’s Meteorological Centre in Bhopal has issued a heat wave alert for six districts on Tuesday: Ujjain, Dhar, Alirajpur, Barwani, Ratlam, and Jhabua.
IMD Warns of Four More Days of Intense Heat
The Meteorological Centre in Bhopal said the heat wave will affect Indore, Ujjain, and Narmadapuram divisions for the next four days. Maximum temperatures in these areas are expected to reach between 44 and 45 degrees Celsius.
“Ratlam, Neemuch, and Mandsaur are likely to be the hottest areas,” the IMD stated, adding that 49 districts across the state, including Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, and Gwalior — will experience intense heat, with temperatures ranging between 43 and 44 degrees Celsius.
Indore recorded 43.2 degrees Celsius on Monday — the highest temperature the city has seen this season. At the same point last year, the mercury stood at 42 degrees Celsius, making this year’s heat measurably more severe.
Other cities recorded sharp increases as well. Shajapur reached 44.2 degrees, Dhar 44 degrees, Ujjain 43 degrees, and Bhopal 41.2 degrees. Jabalpur registered 40.8 degrees, while Gwalior recorded 39 degrees.
Nighttime temperatures are also climbing. Several cities reported overnight lows between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius. Residents in Gwalior, Sheopur, and Narmadapuram described humid and uncomfortable nights.
Residents Take Precautions on the Street
The heat is already visibly affecting daily life. People are leaving their homes with cloth tied around their faces to shield themselves from hot winds and direct sunlight.
The IMD has issued a public advisory urging people to drink water throughout the day and avoid going outside between noon and 4 pm. Officials advised wearing light-coloured cotton clothing and paying close attention to the health of children and the elderly.
The sudden shift from heavy rainfall to extreme heat has caught many residents off guard, and forecasters say there is no significant relief expected before the end of the week.
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