Monsoon remains elusive; Jabalpur, Mandla, Damoh, Umaria under heatwave warning; Bhopal among 30 districts set for rain with gusty winds

The wait for monsoon in Madhya Pradesh continues to stretch, with the state recording 52 per cent less rainfall than normal between June 1 and June 22. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the state was expected to receive an average of 70.9 mm of rainfall during this period, but only 34.3 mm has been recorded so far.

Forty-eight districts, including Indore, Ujjain and Gwalior, have received below-normal rainfall. Eastern Madhya Pradesh — comprising Jabalpur, Rewa, Sagar and Shahdol divisions — has reported a deficit of 71 per cent, while the western region, including Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Narmadapuram and Gwalior-Chambal, has recorded 33 per cent less rainfall.

Heatwave Alert in 4 Districts

The IMD has issued a heatwave warning for Tuesday (June 23) in Jabalpur, Mandla, Damoh and Umaria. Temperatures in these districts are likely to remain between 40°C and 42°C.

Datia recorded the highest temperature in the state on Monday at 42.2°C. Gwalior followed at 40.2°C, while Jabalpur settled at 36°C, Bhopal at 35.2°C, Ujjain at 35°C and Indore at 34.7°C. Pachmarhi remained the coolest at 31.6°C.

Rain and Thunderstorm Alert in 30 Districts

The weather department has forecast thunderstorms with gusty winds reaching speeds of 40 to 60 kmph in approximately 30 districts on Tuesday.

Districts likely to receive rain include Bhopal, Indore, Dhar, Jhabua, Barwani, Khargone, Khandwa, Burhanpur, Dewas, Sehore, Harda, Narmadapuram, Raisen, Vidisha, Sagar, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Seoni, Balaghat, Dindori, Anuppur, Gwalior, Morena, Bhind, Datia, Sheopur, Betul, Pandhurna, Alirajpur and Shahdol.

Areas including Neemuch, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Ujjain, Shajapur, Guna, Shivpuri, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Rewa and Singrauli are expected to remain under hot weather conditions.

Kharif Sowing Affected

The rainfall deficit has slowed the sowing of Kharif crops, particularly soybean. Agricultural scientists say soil becomes suitable for sowing only after receiving approximately 4 inches of rainfall. According to current data, Bhopal is the only district to have crossed that mark, having recorded 4.6 inches of rainfall — 53 per cent above normal.

Monsoon Entry Expected in 2-3 Days

The normal date for monsoon arrival in Madhya Pradesh is June 15, but this year it has been delayed by about eight days. Weather officials expect the monsoon to enter the state within the next two to three days.

The IMD has stated that conditions are favourable for the monsoon to advance further in the next 48 hours, and there is a possibility that it may enter Madhya Pradesh before June 27-28.

Pre-monsoon activity continued across the state on Monday, with Dhar receiving around 2 inches of rainfall and Bhopal recording three-quarters of an inch. Rain and thunderstorms were also reported in Indore, Khandwa, Raisen, Rajgarh, Ujjain, Chhindwara, Jabalpur, Sagar, Satna and Barwani.

Why the Deficit?

So far, June has largely witnessed pre-monsoon weather conditions. The delayed arrival has significantly impacted rainfall figures. An early monsoon onset typically brings a heavy spell of rain, but this year the system has remained sluggish.

The monsoon's northern limit currently passes through Alibag, Pune, Nizamabad, Dantewada, Balangir, Sundargarh, Chatra, Gaya and Muzaffarpur. Met officials said Madhya Pradesh may have to wait a little longer, as the timing of the monsoon's entry will largely depend on wind patterns after the system advances deeper into Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.