Madhya Pradesh is in the grip of an intense and widespread heatwave as temperatures across dozens of districts soar well above 40°C, with no significant relief expected until the late evening hours of April 29.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed a large swath of the state on heatwave alert for April 29, with the most extreme conditions — temperatures between 43–45°C — forecast for districts including Gwalior, Sheopur, Morena, Bhind, Datia, Niwari, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna, Rewa, Vidisha, Sagar, Raisen, Mandla, and Chhindwara. These regions are experiencing loo (hot winds) through the afternoon, with weather expected to change only after sundown, when thunderstorms and lightning may bring some short-lived respite.
The central and western regions of the state are not far behind. Cities including Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Shivpuri, Guna, Ashok Nagar, Narmadapuram, Narsinghpur, Damoh, Katni, Maihar, Umaria, Shahdol, Anuppur, Dindori, Neemuch, Mandsaur, Agar-Malwa, Rajgarh, Shajapur, Ratlam, Sehore, Harda, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Dewas, Khargone, Barwani, Dhar, Alirajpur, and Jhabua are all bracing for temperatures in the 41–43°C range — classified as severe heat conditions by IMD.
Top 5 hottest cities of Madhya Pradesh
The temperature readings from April 28 paint a stark picture of just how punishing conditions have become across the state’s major urban centres:
| Khajuraho | 46.0° |
| Sheopur | 44.8° |
| Sidhi | 44.6° |
| Raisen | 43.8° |
| Bhopal | 43.6° |
The famed temple town of Khajuraho recorded the state’s highest temperature at 46.0°C on April 28 — a scorching peak that underscores how even tourist destinations are being overwhelmed by the heat. Bhopal’s 43.6°C marked its second hottest April day in a decade; the only hotter reading in recent years was 43.7°C on April 30, 2019. Among the larger cities, Indore hit 42.2°C, Jabalpur 42.7°C, and Gwalior and Ujjain both recorded 41°C.
April 30 forecast: Heat continues, rains approach
| 29 April (Heatwave + evening storms) | 30 April (Heat eases, widespread rain) |
|---|---|
| 43–45°C in northern & central MP. Loo in Gwalior-Chambal belt. Thunderstorms likely after evening in Gwalior, Rewa, Satna, Panna, and surrounding districts. Mauganj, Sidhi, Singrauli, Balaghat, Seoni, Betul also likely to see rain. | Severe heat (40–43°C) persists in Indore, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Katni, Umaria, Shahdol, Anuppur, Raisen, Narmadapuram, Betul, Sehore, Harda, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Dewas, Shajapur, Agar-Malwa, Khargone, Barwani, Dhar, Ratlam, Jhabua, and Alirajpur. The rest of the state, including Bhopal, Gwalior, Vidisha, Guna, Shivpuri, Morena, Bhind, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Sagar, Chhatarpur, Panna, Damoh, Satna, Rewa, Mauganj, Sidhi, Singrauli, Dindori, Mandla, Balaghat, Seoni, Chhindwara, and Pandhurna, will see thunderstorms and lightning (37–40°C). |
A cyclonic circulation becoming active over the region is expected to trigger a gradual shift in weather from the evening of April 29 onwards, bringing thunderstorms and a drop of approximately 2°C over the following three days. However, western and central MP districts will remain in the heat zone through April 30.
Public advisory: IMD urges residents to avoid stepping outdoors between 12 noon and 3 pm — the peak heat window. Stay hydrated, wear light cotton clothing, and seek shade. Farmers should irrigate crops frequently and ensure livestock are kept in shaded, well-ventilated areas.
Data: IMD Bhopal / Survey of India · Dainik Bhaskar · IANS
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