BHOPAL: The monsoon has picked up pace again across Madhya Pradesh with the beginning of the Shravan month, and the next 48 hours could bring intense rainfall to several parts of the state. Three weather systems are currently active, prompting the weather department to issue warnings for heavy to very heavy rain, particularly across western and central Madhya Pradesh. Indore and Ujjain divisions are expected to remain among the most affected areas on Friday and Saturday. According to weather officials, moisture is continuously entering the state from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal due to the active systems, creating favourable conditions for widespread rainfall. Several districts witnessed good rain on the first day of Shravan itself, including Indore, Ujjain, Dhar, Ratlam, Jhabua, Betul and Bhopal. Waterlogging was reported from some places following continuous showers. In Betul district, the rain also turned fatal when a railway boundary wall collapsed on a hut, killing a young man. Local authorities reached the spot and started relief operations. With more rain expected, people have been advised to stay away from dilapidated structures, kutcha houses and overflowing rivers and drains.

The weather department has issued a very heavy rainfall alert for Ratlam, Jhabua, Alirajpur and Dhar districts. Heavy rain is also expected in Neemuch, Agar Malwa, Ujjain, Dewas, Barwani, Khargone, Burhanpur and Chhindwara. Bhopal, Vidisha, Raisen and nearby areas are also likely to receive intermittent showers. Officials have warned that some places could receive a large amount of rainfall within a short period, increasing the possibility of overflowing streams and waterlogging in low-lying areas. Residents in vulnerable locations have been asked to remain particularly cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during spells of intense rain. The administration has also advised people to keep track of weather warnings and follow instructions issued by local authorities. For farmers, the fresh spell could provide much-needed moisture for kharif crops, although excessive rainfall could create another problem if water remains accumulated in fields for long periods. The situation will therefore depend on how intense and concentrated the rain becomes over the next two days.

Madhya Pradesh has so far received an average of around 14.7 inches of rainfall during the current monsoon season, which is approximately 2.5 inches below the normal average, according to the figures provided. As many as 47 districts have recorded below-normal rainfall so far, though the picture is different in some parts of the state. Bhopal, Indore, Burhanpur, Bhind, Dewas, Mandsaur, Sehore and Rajgarh have already received above-normal rainfall. With the Madhya Pradesh monsoon systems remaining active, the weather department expects the rainfall deficit to reduce if the current spell continues in the coming days. Meanwhile, persistent showers have begun affecting normal life in several cities. Roads have turned slippery, traffic has slowed at some locations and movement on kutcha roads in rural areas has become difficult. Heavy rain could also affect electricity and drinking water arrangements in vulnerable locations. Concerned departments have been kept on alert so that emergency situations can be handled quickly. District-level control rooms and disaster management teams have also been asked to remain prepared as the state enters another active phase of the monsoon.