People in Madhya Pradesh stepped outside Sunday with cloth wrapped around their faces. They poured water over their car seats before sitting down. By noon, the markets were empty. Rajgarh recorded 45 degrees Celsius — the highest temperature in the state — as a severe heatwave gripped Madhya Pradesh and pushed mercury past 43 degrees in more than a dozen districts. Cold drink stalls and lemonade vendors were the only businesses doing trade.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bhopal warned Sunday that temperatures will climb two to three degrees further over the next four days.
Where the Heat Hit Hardest
After Rajgarh, Ratlam reached 44.8 degrees Celsius and Khandwa hit 44.5 degrees. Naugaon and Khajuraho each recorded 44.4 degrees. Sheopur, Raisen, and Narsinghpur each reached 43.6 degrees.
Among the state’s five largest cities, Ujjain led at 43 degrees. Bhopal recorded 42.7 degrees, Indore 42.8 degrees, Gwalior 42.6 degrees, and Jabalpur 42.3 degrees.
The IMD issued a severe heat wave alert for Monday across 28 districts, including Gwalior, Sagar, Jabalpur, Ratlam, Khargone, and Khandwa. Temperatures there are expected to stay between 43 and 44 degrees.
Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, and Dhar carry no formal alert but will still see intense heat, the department said.
‘Stay Indoors Between Noon and 3 p.m.’
“There will be more impact from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.,” said H.S. Pandey, weather scientist at IMD Bhopal.
The department urged residents to drink water throughout the day, wear light-coloured cotton clothing, and take special care of children and the elderly. It said people should leave home during the afternoon only when essential.
Thunderstorms and rain had covered much of Madhya Pradesh for 14 of May’s first 17 days, pushed by a western disturbance and a cyclonic system. That run ended after May 16. The IMD issued no rain alert for Sunday, and forecasts show temperatures climbing with no relief expected before late in the week.
Pandey said the next three days — through May 19 — will bring the most dangerous conditions the state has seen this summer.
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