The Meteorological Centre, Bhopal on Tuesday, 5 May issued a severe weather warning for Madhya Pradesh, forecasting thunderstorms, lightning, hail, and gusty winds across several districts over the next 24 hours. The alert covers a wide swathe of the state, from eastern tribal belts to the Gwalior-Chambal region, with storm activity expected to persist until 9 May.

Districts on High Alert

Moderate thunderstorm activity with lightning, hail, and wind speeds up to 60 kmph is likely over Seoni, Balaghat, Mandla, Kanha, Dindori, Anuppur, Amarkantak, South Umaria, South Shahdol, East Gwalior, and Bhind. Light thunderstorms with lightning are forecast for Morena, West Gwalior, Datia, North Umaria, North Shahdol, Chhatarpur, South Sidhi, and South Shahdol during evening hours.

Gusty winds of 50–60 kmph may strike parts of Bhopal, Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, Rajgarh, Narmadapuram, Betul, Barwani, Dhar, Guna, Ashoknagar, Shivpuri, Gwalior, Bhind, Morena, Sheopur, Rewa, Satna, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Seoni, Balaghat, Panna, and Sagar, according to the IMD bulletin. Winds of 40–50 kmph are also forecast for Indore, Shajapur, Jabalpur, Mandla, Umaria, Dindori, Katni, and Damoh.

Hailstorms are specifically likely in Khandwa, Khargone, Datia, Singrauli, Sidhi, Shahdol, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, and Niwari.

Agricultural and Structural Risk

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin has flagged that hailstorms may damage standing crops, fruits, vegetables, and fragile structures. Farmers have been advised to take protective measures — including covering crops or harvesting early where possible — to limit agricultural losses. Livestock should be sheltered and vehicles kept under cover.

This alert comes at a critical point in the crop calendar, when standing produce in central India is particularly vulnerable to unseasonal hail. Damage to horticultural crops such as vegetables and fruits can translate into immediate market price pressures in the region.

What Is Driving the Weather

According to the IMD, the synoptic situation shows a western disturbance manifesting as a cyclonic circulation over Kashmir and adjoining areas, with troughs extending across Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. These systems are expected to sustain storm activity across the state until 9 May.

A fresh western disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayan region from 10 May, which could further influence weather patterns across northern India in the days that follow.

Safety Advisories for Residents

The IMD has urged citizens to remain indoors during thunderstorms, unplug electrical appliances, and avoid sheltering under trees or near power lines. Authorities have stressed that precautions are essential to minimise risks to life, property, and agriculture during this volatile weather phase. Residents across affected districts are advised to stay alert and follow official bulletins closely.

With storm systems forecast to remain active through 9 May and a fresh disturbance approaching from 10 May, weather conditions in Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring states are likely to remain unsettled well into next week.