Severe Thunderstorm Alert for Madhya Pradesh: IMD Warns of Lightning and Hail
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Bhopal, April 2 (NationPress) The Meteorological Centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bhopal has issued a cautionary alert regarding impending thunderstorms that will bring lightning, strong winds, and hail to many regions of Madhya Pradesh until April 5.
Residents are urged to stay vigilant, particularly in rural and outdoor settings.
As detailed in the bulletin released at 1 p.m. on Thursday, an active “Western Disturbance” situated over East Iran and nearby Afghanistan, in conjunction with an upper air cyclonic circulation over East Rajasthan, along with a trough extending from East Rajasthan towards the east-central Arabian Sea, is causing unstable weather across the state.
Additionally, another trough stretching from East Jharkhand to South Chhattisgarh is further enhancing convective activity.
Rainfall measurements (in mm) recorded until Thursday morning indicate heavy downpours in certain areas, with Pandhurna seeing the highest at 80 mm, followed by Sausar (42 mm), Chand (29.2 mm), and Khategaon and Sehore (20 mm each).
Significant rainfall was also noted in places like Harda (17.8 mm), Ghodadongri (17 mm), Amarwara (13.2 mm), and Bhopal (4.2 mm). Numerous districts experienced moderate to light rain. Strong winds were reported in Sagar (56 kmph), Jabalpur (45 kmph), Katni (44 kmph), Sidhi (41 kmph), with Indore and Bhopal both experiencing winds at 37 kmph.
The weather center has warned that thunderstorms featuring lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) are anticipated in many areas of Jabalpur division (excluding Dindori), Sagar division (excluding Niwari), Narmadapuram division, Shahdol division, along with districts like Shivpuri, Bhopal, Vidisha, Sehore, Raisen, Khandwa, Burhanpur, Khargone, Dhar, Indore, Dewas, Ujjain, Mauganj, Sidhi, Singrauli, and parts of Satna and Barwani.
Isolated hailstorms are forecasted in Bhopal, Dhar, Vidisha, Sehore, Raisen, Seoni, Damoh, Chhindwara, South Panna, and Mandla districts.
The four-day weather forecast (until April 6) from the IMD predicts widespread thunderstorm activities with moderate to heavy rainfall expected across eastern, central, and parts of western Madhya Pradesh in the upcoming days. Gusty winds of 30-60 kmph and hail are anticipated in several locations.
The forthcoming Western Disturbance is set to impact northwest India starting April 7; however, the current weather system is projected to continue affecting Madhya Pradesh at least until April 5. Residents are advised to refrain from going outdoors during thunderstorms, secure loose items, and maintain distance from tall trees and open fields.