The southwest monsoon is gaining momentum across Madhya Pradesh, with widespread rainfall recorded in more than 15 districts over the past 24 hours. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said the monsoon is expected to reach the Bhopal and Ujjain divisions within the next two days, while the Gwalior-Chambal, Sagar, Rewa and Shahdol regions are likely to receive the seasonal rains later.

Several parts of the state witnessed thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rainfall on Thursday. Shajapur and Narmadapuram recorded nearly two inches of rain, making them the wettest districts during the latest spell. Significant rainfall was also reported from Sheopur, Raisen, Sagar, Guna, Pachmarhi and Balaghat, while showers continued in Indore, Khandwa, Betul, Rajgarh, Ratlam, Shivpuri, Maihar and Chhindwara.

The weather department has issued a rain and thunderstorm alert for 45 districts on Friday. An orange alert has been issued for Agar Malwa and Sehore, where wind speeds of up to 60 kmph, accompanied by heavy rain, are likely.

Rainfall has also been forecast for Bhopal, Raisen, Rajgarh, Vidisha, Indore, Ujjain, Dewas, Shajapur, Ratlam, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Narmadapuram, Betul, Harda, Khandwa, Khargone, Barwani, Dhar, Jhabua, Alirajpur, Jabalpur, Katni, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Pandhurna, Seoni, Balaghat, Mandla, Dindori, Rewa, Satna, Sidhi, Singrauli, Mauganj, Maihar, Shahdol, Umaria, Anuppur, Sagar, Panna, Damoh and Chhatarpur.

However, dry weather is expected to continue in Gwalior, Morena, Bhind, Sheopur, Datia, Shivpuri, Guna, Ashoknagar, Niwari and Tikamgarh for now.

The latest spell of rain has already begun bringing temperatures down across several cities. Khargone emerged as the coolest location with a maximum temperature of 29.8 degrees Celsius. Bhopal recorded 32.8 degrees Celsius, while Indore and Ujjain registered 33.9 degrees and 33.8 degrees respectively. Jabalpur recorded 38.1 degrees Celsius, whereas Gwalior remained the hottest major city at 40.5 degrees Celsius.

The changing weather also led to one weather-related casualty. A senior citizen died after being struck by lightning in Shajapur. Meanwhile, authorities in Indore have prohibited tourist entry to vulnerable picnic and tourism spots until August 22 as a precaution against heavy rainfall and rising water levels.

The IMD has already declared the arrival of the monsoon in 15 districts, including Alirajpur, Indore, Harda, Dhar, Betul, Khandwa, Burhanpur, Chhindwara, Pandhurna, Khargone, Seoni, Balaghat, Mandla, Barwani and Dindori.

The recent rainfall has also improved the state's seasonal precipitation figures. Between June 1 and June 26, Madhya Pradesh has received 52.2 mm of rainfall against the normal average of 91.7 mm. While the state continues to face a rainfall deficit of 43%, the gap has narrowed from the 50% deficit recorded two days earlier.

According to official data, several districts, including Bhopal, Ashoknagar, Agar Malwa, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Sheopur, Burhanpur, Indore, Shajapur and Sehore, have received above-normal rainfall so far this season. Many other districts, however, continue to record below-average precipitation.

Meteorologists expect rainfall activity to intensify further over the weekend as the southwest monsoon advances deeper into central Madhya Pradesh. With favourable atmospheric conditions developing across the state, widespread showers are likely to continue over the coming days, bringing further relief from the prolonged summer heat.