Madhya Pradesh remains under an active monsoon spell, with East MP facing a very heavy rainfall threat today. IMD has warned of thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds, while the wet spell is expected to continue across the state through August 23.

LAST UPDATED: AUGUST 19, 2026 | 8:30 AM IST

Madhya Pradesh is likely to see another active day of monsoon rainfall on Wednesday, with East Madhya Pradesh under a very heavy rainfall warning at isolated places. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also warned of thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds across Madhya Pradesh.

The latest IMD warning places East MP under very heavy rainfall risk on August 19 and 20, followed by heavy rainfall warnings on August 21, 22 and 23. West MP has a thunderstorm and lightning warning today, with heavy rainfall expected on August 20 and 21 and very heavy rain possible on August 22.

2. Eastern Districts Remain the Main Rainfall Zone

The strongest rainfall threat remains concentrated across the eastern and north-eastern parts of the state. Districts in the Rewa, Shahdol and Jabalpur regions are likely to remain particularly sensitive to intense showers.

The previous 24-hour rainfall data also showed strong activity in eastern Madhya Pradesh. The IMD reported 8 cm at Lavkushnagar in Chhatarpur in its August 18 rainfall summary. Earlier observations from the state had also recorded substantial rainfall at Lavkushnagar, Balaghat, Chitrangi and other locations.

3. Rainfall Activity Spreads Across MP

While East MP is facing the highest warning level, rainfall is not expected to remain confined to the eastern districts. IMD forecasts indicate widespread rainfall activity over East MP during the coming days, while West MP is expected to see increasing rainfall activity from August 20.

The weather system responsible for the current spell was associated with a depression over Jharkhand and adjoining northern Gangetic West Bengal. IMD said the system was moving west-northwestwards and was expected to weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area.

4. MP Monsoon Deficit Needs Close Watch

Madhya Pradesh's cumulative rainfall position remains an important part of the monsoon story. The latest previously reported statewide assessment available before the current spell put seasonal rainfall at 544.4 mm, around 12% below normal.

East Madhya Pradesh had been around 18% below normal, while West MP was about 6% below normal. However, the August 19 warning bulletin does not provide a fresh statewide cumulative deficit figure. Therefore, the earlier numbers should not be treated as the final rainfall position after the latest heavy-rain spell.

5. Temperature Watch: Rain Keeps Heat in Check

Repeated showers and cloud cover are likely to keep daytime temperatures relatively subdued across several parts of Madhya Pradesh.

The previous observations showed Gwalior recording the state's highest maximum temperature at 33.5°C, while Datia and Shivpuri touched 32°C. Malanjkhand recorded a much lower maximum of 24.5°C. Such variations are expected to continue as rainfall remains uneven across the state.

6. Flood, Lightning and Farm Risks Rise

Intense rainfall could create waterlogging, flash-flood conditions, rising river and stream levels and temporary disruption on low-lying roads and bridges in vulnerable locations.

Lightning is another major concern. IMD has forecast thunderstorms and lightning over Madhya Pradesh, with gusty winds possible during the active spell. Residents should avoid open areas during thunderstorms and stay away from isolated trees and exposed structures.

Farmers in high-rainfall areas should maintain field drainage and prevent water from accumulating around standing crops. IMD's agricultural guidance has specifically stressed proper drainage in East MP during heavy rainfall episodes.

7. August 20–23: Wet Spell Continues

The rain threat is not expected to end today. East MP is forecast to receive very heavy rainfall at isolated places on August 20, followed by heavy rainfall on August 21–23. West MP has heavy-rain warnings for August 20 and 21, with very heavy rainfall possible on August 22.

The next few days will therefore remain important for rainfall accumulation, river levels, road conditions and the state's overall monsoon deficit. The situation can vary sharply from one district to another, so residents should follow the latest district-level IMD warnings before travelling or undertaking outdoor activities.

Source: India Meteorological Department, Meteorological Centre Bhopal and IMD national weather bulletins.

Madhya Pradesh remains under an active monsoon spell, with the strongest rainfall threat concentrated in eastern and north-eastern districts. IMD has issued an extremely heavy rainfall warning for Sidhi, a very heavy rainfall warning for Satna, and heavy-rain warnings for 11 other districts.

LAST UPDATED: AUGUST 18, 2026 | 8:30 PM IST

1. Sidhi, Satna Face Highest Rain Risk

The India Meteorological Department's August 18 bulletin puts Sidhi under an isolated extremely heavy rainfall warning, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph.

Satna has been placed under a very heavy rainfall warning with similar thunderstorm and lightning risks.

The heavy-rain warning covers Singrauli, Shahdol, Katni, Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, Mandla, Balaghat, Damoh, Sagar, Chhatarpur and Tikamgarh.

IMD's district forecast also shows rainfall at most places across Singrauli, Sidhi, Rewa, Mauganj, Satna, Anuppur, Shahdol, Umaria, Dindori, Katni, Jabalpur, Seoni, Mandla, Balaghat, Panna and Maihar.

2. Luvkushnagar Tops 24-Hour Rainfall

The latest IMD observation, based on rainfall recorded during the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on August 18, puts Luvkushnagar at 75 mm, the highest reported total.

The next major rainfall totals were Balaghat 74.2 mm, Chitrangi 69.2 mm, Kiranapur 58.6 mm and Sarai 57.2 mm. Hanumana recorded 48 mm, followed by Majhgaon at 42 mm and Kathiwada at 41 mm.

The figures confirm that the strongest rainfall activity has remained focused on eastern and central parts of the state.

3. Eastern MP Remains Monsoon Hotspot

IMD recorded rain at most places in Rewa and Shahdol divisions during the preceding 24 hours. Rain occurred at many places in Jabalpur and Sagar divisions, while Bhopal, Indore and Narmadapuram divisions received rain at a few places. Ujjain and Gwalior divisions recorded isolated rainfall.

The weather pattern is being influenced by a depression over Jharkhand and adjoining northern Gangetic West Bengal, which was moving west-northwestwards and was expected to weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area during the following 24 hours. IMD also identified the monsoon trough and an upper-air trough extending across northern Madhya Pradesh as important weather features.

4. MP Monsoon Deficit Still Needs Watching

The latest widely reported statewide assessment available before the August 18 rainfall spell put Madhya Pradesh's seasonal rainfall at 544.4 mm, around 12% below normal. Eastern Madhya Pradesh was about 18% below normal, while western Madhya Pradesh was about 6% below normal. Forty-three districts were reported to have below-normal rainfall, while 12 had received above-normal rainfall.

However, the August 18 IMD daily bulletin does not provide a newer statewide cumulative rainfall-deficit figure. Therefore, the 544.4 mm and 12% deficit figures should be treated as the latest previously reported statewide benchmark, not as the final August 18 position.

5. Temperature Watch: Gwalior Hits 33.5°C

Rainfall kept temperatures subdued in several parts of the state.

Gwalior recorded the highest maximum temperature at 33.5°C, followed by Datia and Shivpuri at 32°C and Sidhi at 31.8°C.

The lowest maximum temperature was recorded at Malanjkhand at 24.5°C, followed by Pachmarhi at 25.4°C and Sagar at 25.5°C.

For minimum temperatures, Khargone recorded the state's lowest reading at 18°C, while Gwalior recorded the highest minimum at 26.7°C.

6. Flood and Farm Risk Remains High

IMD has warned of severe waterlogging in low-lying areas, rising river and waterfall levels, temporary closure of low-lying bridges and roads, erosion along riverbanks and flash-flood risks in vulnerable areas during intense rainfall.

Farmers have been advised to ensure proper field drainage and avoid irrigation, fertiliser application and plant-protection spraying during rainy conditions. IMD also recommends protecting harvested produce, seeds, fertilisers and farm machinery from rain.

The tracker will not label the rainfall as beneficial or damaging to soybean, paddy or maize without supporting agricultural assessments.

7. August 19–24: Rain Threat Continues

The wet spell is expected to continue, particularly over eastern Madhya Pradesh.

IMD's latest subdivision warning shows East Madhya Pradesh under a very heavy rainfall warning on August 19 and 20, followed by a heavy-rain warning on August 21 and 22. West Madhya Pradesh has heavy-rain warnings for August 20 and 21, with very heavy rainfall possible on August 22.

For Bhopal, IMD expects generally cloudy conditions with thunderstorms, lightning and rain, with a forecast maximum of 27°C and minimum of 23°C through the morning of August 19.

The key number for the next update will be whether this eastern-MP spell further reduces the state's seasonal rainfall deficit.

Primary source: India Meteorological Department, Meteorological Centre Bhopal. IMD Meteorological Centre Bhopal