The mercury has crossed the 45°C mark in several regions across the State. While a severe heatwave scorched western and central districts, isolated parts of the Jabalpur and Shahdol divisions witnessed a contrasting weather pattern of light rainfall, gusty winds, and even hailstorms. The Meteorological Centre, Bhopal, has issued an extensive heatwave warning for nearly 30 districts. A high-priority alert has been sounded for Dhar, Indore, and Ujjain, which are currently battling a punishing dual-weather phenomenon: daytime heatwaves followed by ‘warm nights’, where elevated minimum temperatures offer no cooling relief after sunset. Mercury crosses 45°C; Khajuraho recorded as hottest: The maximums hover 2°C to 4°C above the normal range. Khajuraho emerged as the hottest spot in the state, recording a blistering 45.4°C, followed closely by Ratlam at 45.2°C and Dhar at 45.0°C. In the capital, Bhopal, the temperature reached 43.2°C, nearly 2.4°C above the seasonal average. Conversely, Pachmarhi recorded the state’s lowest minimum temperature at a pleasant 19.4°C. Thunderstorms and hail in southern belts: While the west remained parched, moisture-laden winds triggered atmospheric instability in the southern districts. Seoni witnessed a hailstorm, while significant rainfall was recorded in Khairlanji (11.2 mm), Seoni (6.6 mm), and Baihar (5.2 mm).

 

High-velocity winds also battered the region, with Chitrakoot and Sidhi recording gusts up to 52 km/h and 50 km/h, respectively. Satna was hit by a dust storm during the same period. Temperatures to rise further: The Meteorological Centre, Bhopal, has issued an outlook predicting a gradual rise in maximum temperatures by another 2°C to 3°C over the next two days. For Bhopal and its neighbourhood, the sky is expected to remain partly cloudy on Friday, with temperatures likely to settle around 43°C (Max) and 28°C (Min). The current weather is influenced by multiple cyclonic circulations situated over Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Southeast Madhya Pradesh, along with an east-west trough. A fresh, feeble Western Disturbance is also expected to affect northwest India starting May 15. The Meteorological Centre, Bhopal, has issued a widespread heatwave warning covering nearly 30 districts. Isolated heatwave conditions are expected to persist in Guna, Ratlam, and Dewas. Furthermore, the warning extends across a vast stretch of the state, including Raisen, Rajgarh, Narmadapuram, Harda, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Khargone, Barwani, Alirajpur, Jhabua, Shajapur, Agar, Ashoknagar, Shivpuri, Gwalior, Datia, Bhind, Morena, Sheopur, Satna, Narsinghpur, Panna, Damoh, Sagar, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, and Niwari, where residents have been advised to brace for surging temperatures.