The southwest monsoon has regained momentum across Madhya Pradesh, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a heavy rain alert for five districts on Friday. Ratlam, Mandsaur, Sheopur, Alirajpur, and Panna are expected to receive up to 100 mm (around four inches) of rainfall over the next 24 hours, while more than 50 other districts are likely to witness light to moderate showers. The latest MP Weather Update comes exactly a month after the monsoon entered the state on June 24, with seasonal rainfall still running below normal despite recent improvement.

Heavy Rain Alert

According to the IMD, heavy rainfall is expected in Sheopur, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Alirajpur, and Panna, where localized intense showers could lead to waterlogging and disruptions in low-lying areas.

Meanwhile, cities including Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Raisen, Sehore, Rajgarh, Vidisha, Dhar, Khandwa, Khargone, Morena, Datia, Shivpuri, Rewa, Satna, Sagar, Chhindwara, Balaghat, Mandla, Shahdol, Singrauli and several others are forecast to receive light to moderate rainfall.

Rainfall Deficit Narrows

The monsoon reached Madhya Pradesh on June 24, and the state has received an average of 325.1 mm (12.8 inches) of rainfall so far this season.

However, this remains around 10% below the seasonal average, as the normal rainfall for this period stands at 359.6 mm (14.1 inches). The deficit, though, has improved considerably over the past few days. It has reduced from 17% on July 20 to 10%, indicating stronger monsoon activity.

Eastern Madhya Pradesh has recorded a rainfall deficit of 13%, while western parts of the state remain 6% below normal.

Monsoon Activity Improves

Weather experts say the final week of July is likely to witness a sustained spell of rainfall across large parts of the state.

Meteorologist Shailendra Kumar Nayak said active monsoon conditions are expected to continue over the coming days, increasing the likelihood of widespread showers and helping bridge the rainfall deficit further.

Mixed District Performance

Rainfall distribution remains uneven across Madhya Pradesh.

Only 15 districts have recorded rainfall above the seasonal average, while 41 districts continue to remain below normal. Among the districts with excess rainfall are Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Sehore, Rajgarh, Dewas, Harda, Khandwa, Khargone, Neemuch, Burhanpur, Bhind, and Niwari.

On the other hand, districts such as Ratlam, Mandsaur, Sheopur, Gwalior, Dhar, Raisen, Vidisha, Panna, Jabalpur, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Shahdol, Sidhi, and Alirajpur are still reporting below-average seasonal rainfall.

Highest And Lowest Rainfall

Among all districts, Dewas has recorded the highest seasonal rainfall so far, receiving approximately 18.5 inches, nearly 49% above normal.

Balaghat has received around 18 inches, while Bhopal has recorded 16.4 inches and Sehore around 17.2 inches.

At the other end of the spectrum, Alirajpur has registered the lowest rainfall in the state, with only about 2.5 inches recorded so far this season.

Impact On Daily Life

The renewed rainfall has already affected normal life in several regions.

In Begamganj of Raisen district, rising water levels in the Bina River have cut off road connectivity between more than a dozen villages and the tehsil headquarters. In Bhopal, a portion of a nearly 90-year-old house collapsed amid heavy rain. Dense fog continued to affect visibility near Bijasan Ghat in Sendhwa, while rainfall also disrupted local movement in Indore and Tikamgarh.

Heavy rainfall has also impacted railway operations, with eight trains, including the Avantika Express, being cancelled or affected due to weather-related conditions.