IMD issues 5-day thunderstorm, hail and strong wind alert for Madhya Pradesh
Synopsis
The IMD has put Madhya Pradesh on a five-day severe weather watch, with hailstorms, lightning and winds up to 70 kmph already battering Jabalpur and Sidhi. With the southwest monsoon advancing simultaneously, this is one of the most widespread pre-monsoon weather alerts the state has seen this season — and dozens of districts from Gwalior to Balaghat are in the crosshairs through 14 June.
Key Takeaways
The IMD Meteorological Centre, Bhopal has issued a five-day severe weather alert for Madhya Pradesh from 10 to 14 June .
Jabalpur recorded gusty winds of 74 kmph and 29.3 mm of rainfall; hailstorms hit Jabalpur and Damoh .
Moderate thunderstorms with gusts up to 70 kmph forecast for Chhindwara, Balaghat, Katni, Satna and several other districts on Wednesday.
Hailstorms expected in Datia, Bhind, Morena and Chhatarpur on 12 June ; severe weather in Gwalior and Sagar by 13 June .
Farmers advised to harvest or cover standing crops; residents urged to stay indoors during lightning.
The southwest monsoon is advancing toward Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and neighbouring states in the coming days.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a five-day weather alert for Madhya Pradesh, warning of widespread thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms and gusty winds across the state from 10 June through 14 June. The Meteorological Centre, Bhopal, flagged significant weather activity already under way, with several districts recording heavy rainfall and damaging wind speeds.
Rainfall and Wind Already Recorded
Ground data shows Shahpura-Jabalpur received 29.3 mm of rainfall, Patan logged 15.8 mm, and Kurai recorded 15 mm. Gusty winds reached 74 kmph in Jabalpur and 68 kmph in Sidhi, while hailstorms struck Jabalpur and Damoh. The intensity of these early readings underscores the seriousness of the forecast ahead.
District-Wise Forecast Through June 14
Moderate thunderstorms with lightning and wind gusts of up to 70 kmph are expected on Wednesday evening over Chhindwara, Pandhurna, Seoni, Balaghat, Dindori, Katni, Satna, Chitrakoot, Maihar, Panna and Umaria/Bandhavgarh. Lighter thunderstorms with winds up to 50 kmph are forecast for Betul, Mandla/Kanha, Anuppur, Amarkantak, Shahdol, Jabalpur, Bhedaghat, Chhatarpur, Khajuraho, Damoh, Ujjain, Mahakaleshwar, Ratlam, Narsinghpur, Rewa, Mauganj, Sidhi and Singrauli.
On 12 June, hailstorms accompanied by thunderstorms are likely in Datia, Bhind, Morena, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh and Niwari. Bhopal, Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, Rajgarh and adjoining districts may experience strong winds and lightning on the same day. By 13 June, severe weather is expected to affect Gwalior, Datia, Bhind, Damoh, Sagar and Chhatarpur. The IMD has warned of gusty winds ranging between 40 kmph and 60 kmph across different regions through 14 June.
Advisories for Farmers, Residents and Commuters
Officials have advised farmers to protect standing crops from hail damage by covering them or harvesting early wherever possible. Livestock should be moved to sheltered areas, and residents have been urged to remain indoors during thunderstorms. The advisory specifically cautions against sheltering under trees or standing near electric poles during lightning. Vehicle owners have been advised to park in covered spaces to prevent damage.
Health experts have flagged an elevated risk of flu, cough and cold during this period, recommending vitamin-rich diets to strengthen immunity.
Monsoon Advance and Broader Context
This spell of pre-monsoon severe weather coincides with the southwest monsoon advancing steadily northward. Conditions are reportedly favourable for the monsoon's further progress into Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha in the coming days. The IMD has urged citizens across Madhya Pradesh to monitor official forecasts regularly and take all necessary precautions as severe weather continues to impact large parts of the state.
Point of View
Virtually no corner of Madhya Pradesh is unaffected. The convergence of advancing monsoon moisture and pre-existing convective instability is a known amplifier of hail and lightning events, yet district-level preparedness — especially for smallholder farmers with standing rabi remnants — remains patchy. The health advisory on flu risk is a useful addition, but the broader question is whether the state's disaster-response machinery is positioned to act on IMD guidance in real time, or whether these alerts remain largely informational.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has the IMD warned for Madhya Pradesh?
The IMD has issued a five-day severe weather alert for Madhya Pradesh from 10 to 14 June, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms and gusty winds up to 70 kmph across dozens of districts. Several areas including Jabalpur and Sidhi have already recorded high wind speeds and heavy rainfall.
Which districts in MP face the highest risk?
Moderate to severe risk covers Chhindwara, Balaghat, Katni, Satna, Umaria, Gwalior, Datia, Bhind, Morena, Chhatarpur and Sagar, among others. Hailstorms are specifically forecast for Datia, Bhind, Morena, Tikamgarh and Niwari on 12 June, with Gwalior and Sagar facing severe conditions by 13 June.
What precautions should farmers take?
Officials have advised farmers to cover standing crops or harvest them early wherever possible to minimise hail damage. Livestock should be moved to sheltered enclosures, and farmers are urged to monitor official IMD updates regularly through 14 June.
Is the southwest monsoon connected to this weather alert?
The severe weather coincides with the southwest monsoon advancing northward. Conditions are reportedly favourable for the monsoon's further progress into Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha, suggesting the convective activity over MP is partly driven by increasing moisture from the advancing monsoon system.
What safety advice has the IMD issued for residents?
Residents have been urged to stay indoors during thunderstorms, avoid sheltering under trees or near electric poles during lightning, and park vehicles in covered areas. Health experts have also recommended vitamin-rich diets to guard against an elevated risk of flu, cough and cold during this weather period.
