Madhya Pradesh is likely to witness another spell of heavy rainfall on Sunday as a low-pressure area and the monsoon trough remain active over the eastern parts of the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rain alert for 14 districts, while several other areas are expected to receive light to moderate showers.

The weather system is expected to remain particularly active over the Jabalpur, Chambal and Narmadapuram divisions. According to the IMD Bhopal forecast, heavy rainfall is likely in Sheopur, Morena, Bhind, Shivpuri, Raisen, Narmadapuram, Betul, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Pandhurna, Seoni, Balaghat, Dindori and Sidhi during the next 24 hours.

Bhopal is likely to receive light rain, while several other districts may experience spells of heavy or light rainfall. The forecast comes after widespread rain across eastern Madhya Pradesh on Saturday, with rising water levels in rivers and streams reported from several districts.

Rivers and Streams in Spate

Continuous rainfall pushed several water bodies beyond their normal levels. In Balaghat, the Bhima stream near Nainpur was in spate, disrupting movement in the area.

Narsinghpur also witnessed a rise in the Narmada's water level amid continued rainfall and the opening of gates at Bargi Dam. The bridge at the Barman sand ghat was submerged, while the Jhansighat bridge connecting Narsinghpur and Jabalpur was also nearing inundation.

In Panna, a dumper was swept away in the strong current of the Shahpura River in the Dharampur police station area. The driver, identified as Sunny alias Rohit Singh, reportedly managed to swim to safety.

Road Washed Away in Sidhi

Heavy rain also damaged infrastructure in several parts of the state. In Sidhi, a large section of a road constructed around six months ago at a reported cost of ₹104 crore was washed away by strong water currents.

In Satna's Nagod area, three people were reportedly swept away along with a motorcycle while attempting to cross a swollen drain late Friday night. Two of them, Balendra Singh and Deepu Pandey, managed to swim out, while the third person remained missing.

In Chhatarpur's Maharajpur area, rising water in the Kumhed River created difficulties for residents of Harpai Purwa. Around 250-300 people were reportedly affected as the absence of a bridge makes connectivity difficult during periods of high water.

23-26 August Rain Forecast

Weather expert Shailendra Kumar Naik said eastern Madhya Pradesh remained particularly vulnerable to heavy rainfall on August 21 and 22. Rain activity is expected to continue between August 23 and 26, with the western parts of the state also likely to receive spells of heavy rain.

The IMD has forecast rain ranging from light to heavy across a large part of the state. Besides the 14 districts under the heavy rain alert, areas including Bhopal, Sehore, Rajgarh, Vidisha, Indore, Dhar, Alirajpur, Burhanpur, Barwani, Khandwa, Khargone, Jhabua, Ujjain, Neemuch, Mandsaur, Shajapur, Dewas, Ratlam, Harda, Gwalior, Guna, Datia, Ashoknagar, Jabalpur, Katni, Mandla, Rewa, Satna, Singrauli, Mauganj, Maihar, Shahdol, Umaria, Anuppur, Sagar, Panna, Damoh, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh and Niwari may receive rain.

Rainfall Deficit in 40 Districts

Despite the recent spell of rain, rainfall remains below normal in several parts of Madhya Pradesh. The eastern divisions of Jabalpur, Rewa, Sagar and Shahdol have recorded rainfall up to 19% below normal.

Several individual districts have recorded deficits ranging from 1% to 51%. These include Balaghat, Chhatarpur, Chhindwara, Damoh, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Dindori, Mandla, Mauganj, Narsinghpur, Niwari, Pandhurna, Panna, Rewa, Sagar, Seoni and Tikamgarh.

In the western region, districts including Agar-Malwa, Alirajpur, Ashoknagar, Betul, Datia, Dewas, Dhar, Harda, Indore, Jhabua, Morena, Mandsaur, Narmadapuram, Neemuch, Raisen, Ratlam, Sehore, Shajapur, Sheopur, Shivpuri, Ujjain and Vidisha have also recorded rainfall below normal.

Bhopal's August Rainfall History

Bhopal typically receives significant rainfall during August. The city recorded around 35 inches of rain during August 2006, its highest monthly August rainfall in the figures cited in the report. The highest 24-hour rainfall was around 12 inches on August 14, 2006.

Jabalpur has recorded even higher August rainfall, with around 44 inches reported in August 1923. The city received about 13 inches in a single day on August 20 that year.

The state receives an average annual rainfall of around 37.3 inches. While June recorded a rainfall deficit, improved rainfall in July and August has helped narrow the gap, although the overall deficit remains.

Government cites April drone surveillance; says 44 vehicles seized, 12 arrests; next hearing on July 22

 The Madhya Pradesh government told the Supreme Court on Friday that a recent probe into alleged illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary found no evidence of fresh excavation, relying largely on drone imagery and ground inspections carried out after directions from the top court.

According to a sworn affidavit filed by the Gwalior circle forest conservator, teams inspected the sites identified in a Hindustan Times report and reviewed drone footage collected from the second week of April 2026. Initial reports indicated the pits mentioned in the newspaper were remnants of old mining activity and not the result of any new operations after the court’s earlier orders, the government said.

Drone surveillance cited

The affidavit said continuous drone monitoring since mid-April showed no new digging at the locations flagged in the media report. “The drone images were used to form a conclusion that after the court’s directions there was no fresh excavation,” the filing said, according to court papers submitted by the state.

Officials told the bench — comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, who heard the matter on Friday — that tractors seen carrying sand in some drone frames likely contained material from pre-existing trader stockpiles rather than newly excavated sand. The state added that action is being contemplated against traders for illegal storage and transportation where warranted.

Enforcement steps outlined

The government also gave a tally of enforcement measures taken so far. It said 12 persons have been arrested in connection with illegal mining and transportation; 44 vehicles suspected to be engaged in unauthorised sand movement have been seized; and eight vehicles have been formally confiscated (rajasat). Several FIRs and preliminary crime reports have been lodged against unregistered vehicles and other offences, the filing noted.

Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, representing the state in court, assured the bench that stringent surveillance would continue across the Chambal sanctuary and that the government would take steps to prevent any recurrence of illegal sand extraction. He said necessary measures related to monitoring and supervision would be expedited.

Background to court action

The Supreme Court began pressing the three affected states after a Hindustan Times story on alleged continuing illegal sand mining in the sanctuary prompted the court to seek a formal reply from Madhya Pradesh on May 26. In earlier orders, the court had expressed concern that illegal mining in the Chambal had evolved into an organised network, criticising the operation of unregistered vehicles, vacancies in forest staff positions, and gaps in monitoring that could have exacerbated environmental harm.

In its detailed directions, the court had asked states to step up CCTV coverage, seize vehicles implicated in illicit mining, take action against those responsible, and file progress reports every two months.

State, centre to file fresh reports

The matter has been tagged for the next hearing on July 22, when the Supreme Court directed Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh — along with the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) — to present fresh factual reports on measures taken. Officials said the July listing will also consider updated surveillance data and enforcement outcomes.

On the ground, local forest officials in Morena and adjacent districts said patrolling has been intensified, with frequent night and early-morning checks aimed at intercepting unauthorised movements along riverine stretches. Sources familiar with enforcement work said the drone operation has been complemented by selective on-site inspections and checks of sand depots.

Public and environmental stakes

Environmentalists and residents in river-adjacent villages have long warned that unchecked sand mining damages riverine habitats, threatens species such as the gharial and Indian skimmer, and increases erosion risks. The court’s continued oversight reflects those concerns and the broader legal push to balance livelihood pressures against conservation obligations.

The state’s assertion that no fresh mining was detected will be scrutinised when parties return to court in July. For now, the government has promised accelerated monitoring and further legal action against alleged illegal storage and transporters of sand.