Unseasonal Rain, Hail Disrupt Life Across Madhya Pradesh Amid Intense Heatwave
Bhopal, April 11 As Madhya Pradesh continues to battle intense summer heat, an unexpected change in weather brought rain and hail to several regions on Thursday, offering partial relief but also triggering damage to crops and property. Districts including Sagar and Shivpuri witnessed heavy downpours and hailstorms, disrupting normal life and impacting agricultural activities.
Hailstorms Hit Sagar, Shivpuri; Rain Predicted in More Divisions
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a sudden shift in weather conditions due to the development of multiple atmospheric systems across the region. Showers and hail were recorded in parts of Sagar and Shivpuri, with forecasts indicating similar weather in Gwalior, Chambal, Rewa, Jabalpur, Shahdol, Narmadapuram, and Sagar divisions over the next 24 hours.
In Bhopal, gusty winds and cloudy skies brought a brief respite from the sweltering conditions. While some areas reported light showers, most of the state continued to suffer from soaring temperatures. Cities like Dhar and Ratlam emerged as the hottest zones, recording 42.3ยฐC and 42.2ยฐC respectively.
Schools Adjust Timings as Temperatures Soar
Major cities also recorded extreme heat, with Bhopal at 41.3ยฐC, Indore at 40.3ยฐC, and Jabalpur at 40.6ยฐC. Khandwa and Narmadapuram hovered around 42ยฐC, while Tikamgarh, Damoh, and Khargone also crossed the 41ยฐC mark.
As a precaution, local authorities in several districts including Bhopal, Ujjain, Ratlam, and Shivpuri have altered school timings, restricting classes to before noon to protect children from heat-related illnesses.
Crops Damaged, Public Property Affected by Sudden Storms
Evening showers turned severe in several areas. Sagar experienced sudden gusts of wind followed by rainfall and hail, lasting around 15 minutes. In Murainaโs Kailaras, Sabalgarh, and Rampur regions, large hailstones damaged harvested wheat crops that were left to dry in the fields, causing heavy losses to farmers.
In Balaghat, strong winds brought down temporary structures, hoardings, and banners erected for Ram Navami celebrations. Major intersections like Ambedkar Chowk and Hanuman Chowk saw moderate storm damage, though no injuries were reported.
Weather expert V.S. Yadav attributed the turbulence to a western disturbance near Pakistan and a cyclonic system affecting the upper atmospheric layers over Punjab and southwest Rajasthan. According to the IMD, maximum temperatures across the state could drop by 3โ4ยฐC over the next three days.
