Bringing massive relief from a punishing summer, the Southwest Monsoon officially made its onset over Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat on Wednesday. The arrival ends a tense nine-day delay, as the normal onset date for both states is June 15.

According to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon currents have gained rapid momentum and are projected to sweep across the remaining parts of the central region within the next four days. With this latest advancement, the monsoon has now established its footprint across 22 states, keeping it on track to cover the rest of the country by July 5.

Northeast Devastated: Fatal Flash Floods in Arunachal

While central India celebrated the arrival of rain, extreme weather turned tragic in the northeast. Continuous torrential downpours over the past week culminated in severe flash floods on Wednesday morning in Arunachal Pradesh.

The worst impact was recorded at the NEEPCO Project Colony in the Yazali Circle of Keyi Panyor district, where sudden rushes of water swept through residential zones. Local disaster management officials confirmed that three people are missing and feared dead, while more than 18 houses have suffered extensive structural damage. Emergency rescue operations are heavily hampered as several low-lying pockets remain entirely cut off under deep water.

Mumbai Deluged: Subways Shut Down Within 24 Hours of Delayed Arrival

The developments come just a day after the monsoon made a chaotic entry into Mumbai on Tuesday, missing its standard June 10 schedule by nearly two weeks. The financial capital was battered by intense cloudbursts almost immediately upon arrival.

Rainfall telemetry records gathered between 8:00 AM on Tuesday and 7:00 AM on Wednesday revealed staggering numbers. The Malvani Fire Station registered a massive 334 mm of rainfall, closely followed by the F/South Ward at 328 mm. At least 27 other automated weather stations across municipal limits logged rainfall figures bouncing between 200 mm and 300 mm.

The sheer volume of water triggered immediate urban flooding. Municipal authorities were forced to shut down the crucial Andheri subway due to severe waterlogging, throwing suburban traffic into disarray. Structural damage was also reported from Vikhroli West, where a retaining wall flanking a residential complex gave way. Dozens of uprooted trees were reported by the civic body, crushing parked vehicles across multiple neighborhoods.

Rajasthan Receives Excess Rain; Heatwave Stubbornly Persists Elsewhere

In contrast to the delayed onset elsewhere, Rajasthan has unexpectedly logged a major rain surplus this pre-monsoon season. Between June 1 and June 21, the desert state recorded 39.3 mm of rainfall against its historical average of 28 mm—marking a 41% excess.

Meanwhile, parts of northern and eastern India witnessed volatile atmospheric transitions. A massive dust storm cut through Delhi-NCR on Tuesday afternoon, dragging visibility down sharply and creating twilight-like conditions during peak daylight hours. Heavy dust storms with winds peaking at 60 kmph also rattled six cities in Uttar Pradesh.

Despite the advancing monsoon wall, the IMD has maintained a severe heatwave warning. Temperatures crossed the 40°C threshold on Wednesday across major pockets of North and Central India. Banda in Uttar Pradesh emerged as the hottest spot nationally at 43.3°C.

IMD Weather Forecast Warning

The weather office has mapped out the following alerts for the next 48 hours:

Local administrations in the orange-alert zones have been advised to keep disaster response teams on standby, while residents in the heatwave belt are urged to minimize direct sun exposure as the monsoon slowly fights its way north.

The impact of Nau Tapa continues in Rewa, with temperatures remaining above 42°C. The IMD has indicated slight relief from the intense heat after the next three days.

Rewa continues to grapple with severe summer conditions as the effect of Nau Tapa remains firmly in place, keeping daytime temperatures above the 42-degree Celsius mark. While residents are enduring scorching heat and uncomfortable humidity, weather officials have suggested that a modest drop in temperature could arrive during the first week of June.

The city witnessed intense sunshine from the early hours of Saturday, with hot winds making outdoor movement increasingly difficult by afternoon. The combination of high temperatures and humidity added to public discomfort, particularly during peak daytime hours.

Heat Remains Intense

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Rewa's maximum temperature on Saturday was expected to hover around 42°C, while the minimum temperature remained close to 28°C. Although slightly lower than the previous few days, the temperature continues to stay well above normal levels.

The ongoing Nau Tapa period, traditionally considered the hottest phase of summer in central India, has kept temperatures consistently above 40°C. Residents across the Vindhya region have been facing prolonged heat stress as a result.

Three Days of Extreme Conditions

Weather records from recent days indicate little variation in daytime temperatures.

On May 27, Rewa recorded a maximum temperature of 43°C and a minimum of 26°C. Similar conditions prevailed on May 28 and May 29, when the maximum temperature remained at 43°C while nighttime temperatures stayed around 28°C.

The sustained heat has prevented any meaningful cooling, even after sunset, leading to discomfort both during the day and at night.

Markets See Reduced Activity

The impact of the weather has become visible across the city. During afternoon hours, major roads and market areas reported noticeably lower footfall compared to normal days.

Many residents preferred to remain indoors, limiting non-essential travel. Commercial activity in some local markets also appeared slower during the hottest part of the day as temperatures peaked.

Relief May Begin Soon

The IMD's latest forecast indicates that the maximum temperature is likely to remain around 42°C on May 31 and June 1 before easing slightly to 41°C on June 2.

Meteorologists attribute the expected moderation to the influence of a western disturbance affecting weather patterns across parts of north and central India. While the projected decline is not expected to bring immediate relief, it may signal the beginning of a gradual change in conditions.

Residents Struggle With Humidity

Apart from the heat, rising humidity has emerged as a major concern for residents. Many people say the weather becomes difficult to tolerate by late morning and remains uncomfortable well into the night.

The lack of cooling during evening hours has affected daily routines, particularly for children, elderly residents and those working outdoors. Even cooling appliances such as fans and air coolers have provided limited comfort during periods of peak heat.

Health Advisory Issued

Doctors and health experts have advised residents to avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight between noon and 4 pm. People have also been urged to stay hydrated, wear light clothing and take adequate precautions while travelling outdoors.

Officials say prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can increase the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses.

Outlook for Vindhya Region

Weather experts believe a broader shift in atmospheric conditions could become visible during the first week of June. While the region is unlikely to see an immediate end to hot weather, a gradual reduction in temperatures may provide some respite after several days of intense heat.

For now, however, the Nau Tapa heatwave continues to dominate weather conditions in Rewa, keeping residents on alert as summer reaches one of its most challenging phases.

Khajuraho Sizzles at 46°C, Breaks 10-Year Record as Heatwave Grips Madhya Pradesh

Mercury crosses 44°C in 13 cities

The tourist town of Khajuraho recorded a maximum temperature of 46 degrees Celsius on Monday, its highest in a decade, as an intense heatwave tightened its grip over large parts of Madhya Pradesh. Officials said the day temperature at the UNESCO World Heritage site was the hottest for April in ten years. The neighbouring town of Naugaon in Chhatarpur district followed closely, recording 45.5 degrees Celsius, making it the second warmest location in the state.

Heatwave and rain alerts issued for Tuesday

The India Meteorological Department’s Bhopal centre has issued a mixed warning for Tuesday. Four districts – Chhindwara, Pandhurna, Seoni, Mandla and Balaghat – remain under a heatwave alert. At the same time, 12 districts across northern and eastern MP are likely to see thunderstorms and rainfall. These include Gwalior, Sheopur, Morena, Bhind, Datia, Shivpuri, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna and Rewa.

Officials said a cyclonic circulation and an active trough line are driving this unusual weather pattern, where extreme heat and rain are expected to co-exist until May 1. Some relief from the heatwave is expected only after April 28.

All-time record in sight for Khajuraho

The 46-degree reading has already broken a ten-year record for Khajuraho, but older data suggests the all-time high for the town could be under threat. According to IMD records, the highest-ever April temperature for Khajuraho was recorded on April 29, 1993, when the mercury touched 46.9 degrees Celsius. If the current spell of dry heat continues for another two days, that 33-year-old record may also fall.

Ground impact: wall collapse claims life in Damoh

The unpredictable weather has already turned fatal in at least one instance. A woman died in Damoh district on Monday evening after a kutcha wall collapsed during a sudden spell of strong winds and rain. The victim, identified as 48-year-old Ragini Patariya, was a resident of Mahua Kheda village under the Raneh police station area. Local sources said she had stepped out to cover a stack of cow dung cakes when the wall gave way. Damoh has been among the districts witnessing fluctuating weather over the past 48 hours.

Heat safety advisory issued

With temperatures hovering between 42 and 46 degrees across most urban centres, the IMD has also issued a heat safety advisory. Residents have been asked to drink sufficient water through the day, avoid prolonged sun exposure during afternoon hours, and wear light-coloured cotton clothing. Special attention has been advised for children and the elderly. Bhopal and Gwalior both recorded 43.4 degrees on Monday, while Indore touched 42.0, Ujjain 42.4 and Jabalpur 42.7 degrees Celsius.

April heat trends show rising intensity

Meteorologists point out that April and May are the two primary summer months for Madhya Pradesh, much like December-January for winter and July-August for the monsoon. Data from the past decade shows that the second half of April typically sees a sharp rise in temperatures, often breaking records towards month end.

In Bhopal, the highest April temperature ever recorded remains 44.4 degrees Celsius from April 29, 1996. Gwalior, which tends to run hotter than other cities, once touched 45 degrees in the last ten years. Its all-time April high of 46.2 degrees was recorded on April 28, 1958. Ujjain, meanwhile, had recorded 45.2 degrees on April 18, 2010, with the overall record for the city currently standing at 48.8 degrees from last year.

What to expect over the next four days

The IMD expects the ongoing heatwave to persist across central and eastern parts of the state for at least another 48 hours. After that, the cyclonic circulation may trigger scattered showers and provide marginal relief. Officials have, however, cautioned that the drop in temperature is likely to be temporary. The core summer months of May could once again see a return to severe heatwave conditions across the Bundelkhand and Gwalior-Chambal regions.