Nautapa 2025: Khajuraho hits 47.2°C as heatwave scorches Madhya Pradesh
Synopsis
Nautapa's arrival has pushed Madhya Pradesh into one of its most intense early-summer heatwaves in recent years — Khajuraho at 47.2°C, 37 districts under alert, and no relief forecast for at least four days. With Chhattisgarh also in the grip of the same system, the heat corridor across central India is widening at a pace that is straining health infrastructure and daily life alike.
Key Takeaways
Khajuraho recorded 47.2°C on 25 May 2025 — the highest temperature in Madhya Pradesh.
Nautapa , the nine traditionally hottest days of summer, commenced on 26 May , intensifying heatwave conditions.
A total of 37 districts in Madhya Pradesh are under official heatwave alert.
Eastern MP saw temperatures of 44–46°C ; western MP recorded 42–44°C on 25 May.
The IMD has warned heatwave conditions will continue for at least four more days ; citizens advised to avoid outdoor activity between 12 noon and 4 pm .
Neighbouring Chhattisgarh , including Raipur , is also under similar heat stress with temperatures expected above 45°C .
Madhya Pradesh is in the grip of a fierce heatwave as Nautapa — the nine traditionally hottest days of the Indian summer — began on Tuesday, 26 May, driving temperatures past 45 degrees Celsius across multiple districts. Khajuraho recorded the state's highest temperature at 47.2°C, making it the hottest location in Madhya Pradesh on the day.
Scale of the Heatwave
According to the Madhya Pradesh Heat Wave Bulletin, maximum temperatures on 25 May ranged between 44°C and 46°C in the eastern districts and between 42°C and 44°C in the west. For 26 May, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast highs of 43°C to 45°C across most of the state — significantly above seasonal norms.
Officially confirmed heatwave conditions were recorded in Khajuraho, Datia, Mandla, Tikamgarh, Malajkhand, and Nowgaon. Night temperatures also remained unusually elevated in Gwalior, Tikamgarh, and Datia, denying residents any overnight respite.
Districts Under Alert
A total of 37 districts have been placed under heatwave alert, stretching from Rewa and Satna in the east to Ratlam, Ujjain, and Neemuch in the west, and including the state capital Bhopal. Other districts on alert include Panna, Chhatarpur, Niwari, Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, Rajgarh, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Khargone, Dewas, Shajapur, Agar Malwa, Mandsaur, Guna, Ashoknagar, Shivpuri, Bhind, Morena, Sheopur, Singrauli, Sidhi, Anuppur, Shahdol, Umaria, Dindori, Katni, Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Balaghat, Damoh, Sagar, Pandhurna, and Maihar.
Partial Relief Through Storms
Some districts received limited relief as thunderstorm activity was reported in over 15 districts, including Bhopal, Umaria, and Damoh. Strong gusts accompanied these storms — Sehore and Shahdol recorded the highest wind speeds at 50 kmph, followed by Sagar at 41 kmph and Khandwa at 39 kmph. The relief, however, remained localised and temporary.
Impact on Daily Life and Neighbouring States
The sustained heat has disrupted life across the state. Markets and public spaces recorded noticeably thinner crowds during peak afternoon hours, while schools and colleges in several districts have adjusted their timings. Outdoor workers, farmers, and daily commuters have been among the worst affected.
The heatwave's reach extends beyond Madhya Pradesh into neighbouring Chhattisgarh, where cities are also battling hot winds and rising temperatures. In Raipur, temperatures are expected to remain above 45°C in the coming days, prompting authorities there to issue similar advisories.
Health Advisories and Precautions
The IMD has warned that heatwave conditions will persist for at least the next four days, urging citizens to avoid stepping out between 12 noon and 4 pm. Health authorities have advised residents to stay hydrated, wear light-coloured loose cotton clothing, cover their heads, and rest frequently in shaded or cool areas.
Officials have also cautioned that weather disruptions of this kind can elevate the risk of vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria, and have asked people to keep emergency kits ready. Experts warn that vulnerable groups — children, elderly persons, and those with pre-existing health conditions — face the greatest risk as Nautapa progresses and temperatures show no immediate sign of easing.
Point of View
Lasting longer, and breaching thresholds that were once rare. A 47.2°C reading in Khajuraho in late May, combined with elevated night temperatures across Gwalior and Datia, signals that nocturnal cooling — the body's primary natural recovery window — is shrinking. The 37-district alert covers a vast swathe of MP's agrarian heartland, where outdoor workers have no practical option to heed the 12-noon-to-4-pm advisory. Health infrastructure in tier-2 and tier-3 districts of the state is routinely stretched even in normal summers; the absence of any reported heat-mortality data in official bulletins does not mean the toll is zero — it may simply mean it is not being counted.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nautapa and why does it matter for the heatwave?
Nautapa refers to the nine traditionally hottest days of the Indian summer, beginning when the sun enters the Rohini lunar mansion — typically in late May. It matters because it coincides with peak pre-monsoon temperatures, and its onset this year has pushed Madhya Pradesh temperatures past 47°C in some locations, intensifying an already severe heatwave.
Which district recorded the highest temperature in Madhya Pradesh?
Khajuraho recorded the highest temperature in Madhya Pradesh at 47.2°C on 25 May 2025, making it the hottest location in the state on that day.
How many districts in Madhya Pradesh are under heatwave alert?
A total of 37 districts across Madhya Pradesh have been placed under official heatwave alert, spanning the state from Rewa and Satna in the east to Ratlam, Ujjain, and Neemuch in the west, and including the state capital Bhopal.
How long will the heatwave last in Madhya Pradesh?
The India Meteorological Department has warned that heatwave conditions will persist for at least four more days from 26 May. Temperatures of 43–45°C are forecast for most parts of the state, with no significant relief expected in the near term.
What precautions have authorities recommended during the heatwave?
Health authorities have advised citizens to avoid stepping out between 12 noon and 4 pm, stay well hydrated, wear light-coloured loose cotton clothing, and cover their heads. People are also urged to keep emergency kits ready and take precautions against vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria, which can spike during such weather events. Vulnerable groups — children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions — have been asked to exercise extra caution.
