The southwest monsoon has now covered all parts of Madhya Pradesh, bringing widespread rain across the state on Thursday.

Bhopal, Sehore, Ratlam, Gwalior, Rewa, and Damoh received good rainfall. In Damoh, several areas witnessed flood-like conditions as rivers and streams swelled. In Indore, heavy showers caused waterlogging, with a Thar vehicle falling into a drain. In Sehore’s Ashta, roads turned into rivers with parked motorcycles seen floating in the water.

The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for very heavy rainfall in Harda, Narmadapuram, Raisen, Chhindwara, Pandhurna, and Balaghat. Yellow alert for heavy rain has been issued in Ashoknagar, Dewas, Khandwa, Betul, Sagar, Mandla, and Dindori.

The monsoon entered the state on June 24 and took nine days to cover the entire region. June recorded 33 per cent below-normal rainfall. The fresh activity is expected to help bridge the deficit.

Tragedy was reported in Khargone where two people died after being struck by lightning. In Betul, two men swept away by the Champa river were found dead.

The coming days are likely to see more widespread rain, bringing relief from the heat but also raising concerns of waterlogging and landslides in vulnerable areas.