A sudden shift in MP weather brought rain, thunderstorms and hail to several districts, while lightning struck the famous Hanuman Tekri Temple in Guna, damaging its spire.

Madhya Pradesh witnessed a sharp change in weather conditions on Saturday, bringing relief from the intense Nautapa heat across several regions but also triggering thunderstorms, lightning strikes and hailstorms in parts of the state. One of the most significant incidents was reported from Guna, where lightning struck the renowned Hanuman Tekri Temple, damaging the temple’s spire during a spell of stormy weather.

According to officials, rain and thunderstorms were reported in at least 26 districts over the past 24 hours, affecting major cities including Gwalior, Indore, Ujjain and Bhopal. The weather activity came amid an ongoing heatwave phase that had pushed temperatures beyond 45 degrees Celsius in several parts of Madhya Pradesh during the Nautapa period.

The lightning strike occurred on Friday night as strong winds and rain swept through Guna district. Local authorities confirmed that the upper portion of the Hanuman Tekri Temple structure suffered damage after being hit by lightning. No injuries were reported, but the incident drew attention from devotees and residents, given the temple’s prominence in the region.

Rainfall was recorded across a wide geographical spread. Data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) showed that Tikamgarh received more than an inch of rainfall during the past 24 hours, while Datia and Nowgong also recorded significant precipitation. Showers were reported from Gwalior, Dhar, Ratlam, Ujjain, Damoh, Rewa, Sagar, Satna, Umaria, Khargone, Shivpuri, Dindori, Khandwa, Mandsaur, Dewas, Jhabua, Morena and Sheopur, among other districts.

In several locations, the weather turned severe. Hailstorms were reported from Sheopur and Dewas, while gusty winds disrupted normal activity in parts of western and northern Madhya Pradesh. Residents in some districts reported temporary waterlogging on roads following intense but short-duration rainfall.

Bhopal also experienced cloudy conditions from the morning hours, offering respite from the scorching temperatures recorded earlier this week. Similar relief was felt in rural and semi-urban areas where temperatures had remained unusually high through most of May.

Storm Alert Continues

The Meteorological Department has warned that unstable weather conditions are likely to persist over the next few days. An alert has been issued for districts including Indore, Ujjain, Dewas, Khargone, Khandwa, Sehore and Harda, where thunderstorms with wind speeds reaching up to 70 kmph, lightning activity and hail are possible.

Several other districts, including Bhopal, Rajgarh, Shajapur, Ratlam, Mandsaur, Narmadapuram, Sidhi and Singrauli, may witness thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds of up to 50 kmph.

Heatwave Eases Gradually

The latest forecast suggests that heatwave conditions are likely to weaken from May 31 onward as moisture-bearing systems influence weather across central India. The IMD has indicated that many districts may continue to receive rain, thunderstorms and isolated hail events between May 31 and June 2.

Even as rainfall activity increases, some regions remain under heat alerts. Orange warnings for severe heat conditions have been issued for parts of central and eastern Madhya Pradesh, while thunderstorms are expected to occur simultaneously in several districts.

Impact During Nautapa

The weather reversal is particularly notable because it has occurred during Nautapa, traditionally considered the hottest period of the summer season. Since May 25, several locations, especially Khajuraho and Nowgong, have recorded temperatures above 47 degrees Celsius.

Meteorologists say such fluctuations are not unprecedented, though the intensity and spread of recent rainfall have provided welcome relief to residents battling prolonged heat. In districts such as Dindori, local reports indicated a noticeable drop in temperature following the morning showers.

Authorities have advised residents to remain cautious during thunderstorms, avoid open areas during lightning activity and stay hydrated as daytime temperatures continue to remain high despite intermittent rainfall.

With forecasts pointing to more rain and storm activity in the coming days, Madhya Pradesh’s weather is expected to remain highly variable, bringing a mix of relief and disruption across the state.

Madhya Pradesh is set to witness a sharp rise in temperature starting April 10, signaling the beginning of an intense heatwave phase. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) office in Bhopal, daytime temperatures across the state are expected to increase by 5 to 6 degrees Celsius over the next few days. This rise comes after a brief spell of rain and thunderstorms that had kept temperatures relatively lower.

Rain and thunderstorm alert in seven districts

Despite the upcoming heatwave, weather activity remains active in parts of the state. The IMD has issued a 24-hour alert for thunderstorms, lightning, and rainfall in districts including Mandla, Seoni, Balaghat, Umaria, Shahdol, Dindori, and Anuppur. These regions may experience gusty winds, rain showers, and lightning, especially during the afternoon and evening hours.

Recent rainfall brought temporary relief

On Wednesday, more than 15 districts including Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Dhar, and Ratlam recorded rainfall and strong winds. This weather activity resulted in a noticeable dip in daytime temperatures, offering short-term relief from the heat.

Cyclonic systems influencing weather patterns

Meteorologists have attributed the recent weather fluctuations to three active cyclonic circulation systems affecting northern, eastern, and western parts of the state. These systems led to widespread rain and storm activity. Even in Bhopal, light showers and strong winds were recorded due to these developments.

Western disturbance to develop on April 11

A new western disturbance is expected to become active over northwestern India on April 11. However, its impact on Madhya Pradesh is likely to be minimal. The state will gradually transition toward hotter and drier conditions despite occasional cloud cover.

Strong winds expected across the state

The IMD has also warned of strong winds accompanying the current weather system. Wind speeds may reach 40 to 60 km per hour in some districts, while other regions could see speeds between 30 and 40 km per hour. The weather is expected to shift mainly during the afternoon hours, bringing temporary instability before stabilizing into hotter conditions.

April and May remain peak summer months

Traditionally, April and May are the hottest months in Madhya Pradesh, similar to how winter peaks in December–January and monsoon intensifies in July–August. This year, however, the weather pattern has been slightly unusual, with frequent rain and storm activity extending into early April.

Frequent weather changes since February

The state has experienced multiple weather shifts since February. While January remained mostly dry, February and March saw four significant spells of rain, thunderstorms, and hailstorms. These events caused considerable damage to crops such as wheat, papaya, and banana, prompting government surveys to assess losses.

Temperature trends in major cities

Data from the past decade shows that cities like Bhopal and Indore have recorded temperatures up to 43°C in April, while Jabalpur has touched 44°C. Gwalior remains one of the hottest cities, with temperatures often crossing 45°C.

Historical temperature records highlight extreme heat

Bhopal recorded its highest April temperature of 44.4°C on April 29, 1996. Indore saw a peak of 44.6°C on April 25, 1958. Jabalpur reached 45.4°C on April 28, 1970, while Gwalior recorded an extreme 46.2°C on April 28, 1958. Ujjain has also witnessed temperatures exceeding 45°C in April in recent years.