Volatile weather driven by cyclonic circulation and a western disturbance has unleashed thunderstorms, heavy rain and hailstorms across half of Madhya Pradesh, marking the fourth damaging weather spell to hit the state this month alone.
Rain was recorded in approximately 80 cities and towns spread across 25 districts in just 24 hours. Affected areas include Bhopal, Gwalior, Ujjain, Indore, Ratlam, Dewas, Vidisha, Morena, Barwani, Mandsaur, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh and Sheopur, among others. The highest rainfall in the period was recorded at Nalcha in Sheopur district, where one inch of rain fell in a single day.
Cities Bears the Worst of the Storm
In Ujjain district, villages in Ghatia, Mahidpur and Akhal suffered the heaviest damage. Standing crops were flattened by strong winds and hail, prompting the district administration to launch a damage survey. Rain that began at midnight continued well into Friday morning. The meteorological department recorded a minimum temperature of 16.6 degrees Celsius, while winds blowing at around 12 kilometres per hour sharpened the chill further.
In Dhar’s Manwar area, rain has fallen continuously for three consecutive nights, flooding fields and damaging wheat, gram and mustard crops at a critical stage of ripening. Farmers have urged authorities to deploy revenue and agriculture department teams immediately for an on-ground assessment.
Wheat fields in Akodia, Shajapur district, also suffered heavy losses after rain that began Thursday night continued as drizzle into Friday morning. Ripened crops fell under the force of strong winds, raising fears over grain quality and overall yield.
Indore saw its daytime temperature drop by three degrees Celsius on Thursday, with nighttime temperatures also falling by one degree. By Friday morning, cold and misty conditions had settled across the city, disrupting daily life. Light rain also fell in the nearby industrial town of Pitampur overnight.
Farmers Warn of Financial Crisis
Farmers across the state say they are already under severe financial strain from rising input costs and low market prices. The repeated weather events this month, they warn, are pushing many households toward deeper crisis. Local farmers in Dhar have formally demanded that a joint team from the revenue and agriculture departments be sent to survey crop losses without delay.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a rain and storm alert for February 23 and 24. Conditions are expected to ease on February 21 and 22, with clear skies and sunshine forecast across the state on both days.
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