Are MP and Chhattisgarh Facing Unprecedented Weather Events?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Extreme weather conditions are affecting numerous districts in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
- The Meteorological Department has issued alerts for hailstorms and high winds.
- Waterlogging has disrupted daily activities in affected areas.
- Residents should remain vigilant and stay indoors during storms.
- Weather patterns are attributed to cyclonic circulations and atmospheric troughs.
Bhopal, May 4 (NationPress) Both Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are under siege from extreme weather as thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds disrupt numerous districts.
The Meteorological Department has released alerts for various areas, cautioning residents about high winds and possible hailstorms.
The stormy conditions, characterized by heavy rainfall and hail, continue to impact Madhya Pradesh.
A weather warning is active across 45 districts, including Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Ujjain, and Jabalpur. The persistent rainfall, along with thunder and strong winds, has soaked Bhopal, Indore, and Khandwa, with Indore facing a particularly heavy downpour since 5 p.m.
According to local meteorological sources, heavy rain and drizzle, combined with thunderstorms and lightning, are affecting numerous regions, including Bhopal, Vidisha, Raisen, Rajgarh, Narmadapuram, Betul, Harda, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Khargone, Barwani, Alirajpur, Jhabua, Dhar, Indore, Ratlam, Agar, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Guna, Ashoknagar, Shivpuri, Gwalior, Datia, Bhind, Morena, Sheopur, Singrauli, Sidhi, Rewa, Mauganj, Satna, Anuppur, Shahdol, Umaria, Dindori, Katni, Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Seoni, Mandla, Balaghat, Panna, Damoh, Sagar, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Maihar, and Pandhurna.
These weather phenomena have resulted in waterlogging in several regions, causing disruption to daily life.
The meteorological department anticipates continued rainfall or drizzle, alongside thunderstorms and lightning in districts including Shivpuri, Gwalior, Datia, Bhind, Morena, Sheopur, Singrauli, Sidhi, Rewa, Mauganj, Dindori, Katni, Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Seoni, Mandla, Balaghat, and Pandhurna. These areas have already faced significant thunderstorms and lightning strikes, with wind speeds expected to reach between 50-60 km per hour.
Hailstorms have also been reported, increasing the potential for damage. Moderate gusts of wind in the range of 40-50 km per hour are likely in isolated areas of Bhopal, Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, Rajgarh, Narmadapuram, Betul, Harda, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Khargone, Barwani, Alirajpur, Jhabua, Dhar, Agar, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Guna, Satna, Anuppur, Shahdol, Umaria, Panna, Damoh, Sagar, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari, and Maihar. Scattered rainfall is anticipated in Sehore, Ujjain, Dewas, and Shajapur, with isolated showers expected.
Experts attribute these weather patterns to three cyclonic circulations and two atmospheric troughs influencing the area. These factors are expected to maintain the current conditions, leading to storms and rainfall likely persisting throughout the state until May 7.
In Bardwaha village of Chhatarpur, a powerful storm caused a long-abandoned BSNL tower to collapse on Saturday evening. Further south, Pipalhela village in Rajgarh experienced a severe lightning strike that ignited a tree late Saturday night, reducing it to ashes.
Villagers responded quickly, extinguishing the flames to prevent the fire from spreading. The Meteorological Department predicts that these volatile weather conditions will continue over the coming days. Bhopal is especially preparing for a dust storm reminiscent of the one that engulfed the city on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh is grappling with fluctuating weather patterns due to a Western Disturbance. For several days, evenings have brought strong winds and rain, with widespread showers and hailstorms reported on Saturday. Winds have reached speeds of 50 to 60 kilometers per hour.
A tragic incident occurred when a teacher was struck by lightning in Surguja, highlighting the severity of the current weather. The forecast indicates little respite for the state, with turbulent weather expected to continue until May 6.
According to the Chhattisgarh weather department, Sunday will bring cloudy skies, sporadic showers, and thunderstorms, with daytime temperatures climbing to 39 degrees Celsius and nighttime dropping to around 23 degrees.
In Raipur, sudden weather changes on Saturday afternoon brought intense winds, rain, and localized hailstorms, cooling the atmosphere by evening. Light to moderate rainfall has been recorded across many areas in the last 24 hours.
The maximum temperature in the Raipur division was below normal, while other divisions experienced significant drops in temperature.
The highest temperature recorded was 40 degrees Celsius in Bilaspur, with the lowest minimum temperature at 18.2 degrees Celsius in Pendra.
Storm-driven rains continue to batter the Bilaspur division, with hailstorms reported in Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi, further amplifying the unpredictable nature of this weather period.
Authorities remain alert as communities prepare for more atmospheric disturbances.