Khajuraho hits 46°C as severe heatwave grips Madhya Pradesh
Synopsis
Khajuraho hit a scorching 46°C on 28 April as a severe heatwave gripped most of Madhya Pradesh, with Sheopur and Sidhi also breaching 44°C. While isolated thunderstorms may offer brief relief in a few districts, authorities warn the heat will persist — with a meaningful temperature drop only expected three days out.
Key Takeaways
Khajuraho recorded Madhya Pradesh's highest temperature of 46.0°C on 28 April .
Sheopur hit 44.8°C and Sidhi recorded 44.6°C , with heatwave conditions also affecting Chhindwara and Nowgong .
Isolated rainfall of up to 15.4 mm was recorded in Garhakota ; most of the state remained dry.
Heatwave warnings issued for Vidisha , Raisen , and Sagar ; gusty winds of 40–50 km/h possible in some areas.
A gradual temperature drop of 2°C is forecast over three days after the next 24 hours .
Pachmarhi logged the state's lowest minimum at 15°C ; Umaria reported severe warm night conditions.
A severe and persistent heatwave continued to scorch most of Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday, 28 April, with Khajuraho recording the state's highest maximum temperature of 46.0 degrees Celsius. Several other cities across the state logged temperatures well above 40 degrees Celsius, prompting authorities to issue heatwave warnings for multiple districts.
Key Temperature Readings Across the State
The temple town of Khajuraho remained the hottest spot in the region, peaking at 46.0°C. Sheopur followed closely at 44.8°C, while Sidhi recorded 44.6°C. At the other end of the spectrum, Pachmarhi — the state's hill station — logged the lowest minimum temperature at 15°C.
Heatwave conditions were specifically impacting Chhindwara, Khajuraho, and Nowgong. Residents in Ujjain, Rewa, Satna, and Khajuraho experienced warm nights, with Umaria reporting severe warm night conditions. Maximum temperatures in the Shahdol division rose by approximately 2.5 degrees Celsius, staying above normal in several other divisions including Bhopal, Ujjain, and Gwalior.
Isolated Rainfall Brings Partial Relief
While most divisions remained dry, isolated rainfall was recorded in parts of the Sagar division and at scattered spots in the Gwalior, Rewa, and Jabalpur divisions. Notable rainfall totals included 15.4 mm in Garhakota and 9.6 mm in Gonnour — modest amounts that offered little respite from the prevailing heat.
Weather Forecast and Synoptic Conditions
Current synoptic conditions show a western disturbance acting as a trough, combined with multiple cyclonic circulations over Uttar Pradesh. The forecast valid until the morning of 29 April predicts light rainfall or drizzle, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, at isolated places in districts such as Gwalior, Rewa, Satna, and Chhatarpur. The rest of the state is expected to remain dry.
Some areas may also experience gusty winds reaching 40 to 50 kilometres per hour alongside lightning. For Bhopal specifically, skies are expected to remain mainly clear with a maximum temperature of 43°C. Authorities have issued warnings for continued heatwave conditions in districts including Vidisha, Raisen, and Sagar.
Outlook and Advisory for Residents
No major change is expected over the next 24 hours, after which a gradual temperature drop of approximately 2 degrees Celsius is forecast over the subsequent three days. Authorities have advised residents to stay hydrated, avoid direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours, and wear light cotton clothing. Farmers have been urged to provide frequent irrigation to crops and ensure livestock are kept in shaded, well-ventilated areas.
This comes amid a broader pattern of early-summer heat extremes across central India, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) having flagged elevated heatwave risk across the Madhya Pradesh plateau well before the season's peak.
Point of View
Daily-wage workers, and the agricultural communities that surround these districts. The forecast two-degree drop in three days offers limited comfort when overnight temperatures in Umaria are already classified as 'severe warm night'. Madhya Pradesh's heat action plans need to be stress-tested against this new normal, not the averages of a decade ago.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city recorded the highest temperature in Madhya Pradesh on 28 April?
Khajuraho recorded the highest maximum temperature in Madhya Pradesh at 46.0 degrees Celsius on 28 April. The temple town has been one of the state's hottest spots during this heatwave spell.
Which other cities in MP are experiencing extreme heat?
Sheopur recorded 44.8°C and Sidhi recorded 44.6°C on the same day. Heatwave conditions were also specifically impacting Chhindwara and Nowgong, while Ujjain, Rewa, Satna, and Khajuraho reported warm nights.
Will there be any rainfall relief in Madhya Pradesh?
Isolated light rainfall, drizzle, and thunderstorms are forecast at scattered places in Gwalior, Rewa, Satna, and Chhatarpur districts until the morning of 29 April. However, the rest of the state is expected to remain dry.
When will temperatures drop in Madhya Pradesh?
No major change is expected in the next 24 hours. A gradual drop of approximately 2 degrees Celsius is forecast over the three days following that period, according to current weather projections.
What precautions have authorities advised for residents?
Authorities have advised residents to stay hydrated, avoid direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours, and wear light cotton clothing. Farmers are urged to irrigate crops frequently and keep livestock in shaded, well-ventilated areas.
