Weather in the State has taken a dramatic turn as a series of powerful systems, including a Western Disturbance and multiple cyclonic circulations, have swept across the State, bringing a volatile mix of heavy rain, high-velocity winds, and unexpected hailstorms. While the sun dominated some regions, others were plunged into stormy conditions that saw wind speeds peak at a staggering 74 kmph in Agar and 54 kmph in Sehore, keeping residents on high alert. The Narmadapuram division bore the brunt of the moisture, with several areas recording significant rainfall. Badnawar led the tally with 19.2 mm of rain, followed closely by Godadongri at 18.0 mm and Badwani at 14.8 mm. Other notable showers were recorded in Sondwa and Khalwa (14.0 mm each). These showers caused a noticeable dip in temperatures in the Chambal division, which fell by 2.7°C. Despite the rain, Khargone still managed to record the state’s highest temperature at 38.4°C, followed by Khajuraho at 38.3°C. At the cooler end of the spectrum, Pachmarhi remained the State’s refrigerator, recording a minimum of 12.6°C, while Mandsaur and Indore followed at 14.8°C and 15.0°C respectively. Hailstorms was reporter across the State’s central and southern belts. A total of 11 districts, including Alirajpur, Badwani, Betul and Khandwa were pelted by hailstones during the latest spell. Similar reports emerged from the agricultural heartlands of Vidisha, Chhindwara and Jabalpur as well as the districts of Damoh, Seoni and Chhatarpur.

 

This sudden icy downpour, combined with the high-velocity winds, has raised concerns regarding potential damage to standing crops and temporary structures in these localised pockets. Meanwhile, Bhopal experienced its own share of the seasonal turbulence, recording 8.6 mm of rainfall in the city area on Thursday evening. The State capital saw its maximum temperature settle at 34.2°C, while the morning minimum dipped to 16.6°C, which is significantly below the normal for this time of year. Looking ahead, Bhopalites can expect partly cloudy skies with light breezes of 10-12 kmph through Saturday morning. While the immediate forecast suggests a comfortable range of 30°C during the day and 18°C at night, a summer surge is lurking; once the current system clears, the mercury in the state is expected to climb sharply by 3°C to 5°C. According to the Meteorological Centre, this atmospheric roller coaster isn’t over just yet. A trough stretching from North Pakistan all the way to Southwest Madhya Pradesh, combined with a cyclonic circulation over Haryana, will keep the skies unsettled for the next 48 hours. Rainfall and drizzles accompanied by thunderstorms expected at isolated places across nearly 36 districts. Major urban centres including Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur, and Rewa are on the list, along with the Narmadapuram, Sagar, and Shahdol divisions. The warning is particularly intense for districts like Datia, Bhind, and Seoni, where isolated hailstorms and gusty winds reaching up to 50 kmph are likely. Meanwhile, regions like Vidisha, Raisen, and Narmadapuram should brace for strong winds of 40-50 kmph. In contrast, the remaining districts of the state are expected to stay dry, creating a sharp divide in the weekend weather across Madhya Pradesh. Authorities are urging citizens to prioritise safety. Farmers are advised to harvest matured crops like wheat and pulses immediately, while urban residents should stay indoors during the peak of the storms.