Heavy rains and storms swept through Madhya Pradesh on Monday, May 5, 2025, causing widespread disruptions, including power outages in over 200 areas. As the rain continued into the night, authorities issued hailstorm alerts for 16 districts, including Gwalior, as thunderstorms were forecast across more than 30 regions.
In Bhopal, the rain persisted past 1:30 AM, leading to severe weather conditions across the state. The storms hit several districts, including Gwalior, Mandsaur, and Raisen, and hailstorms were reported in Shajapur, Neemuch, and Sehore. In Guna, a powerful storm uprooted a wedding tent, while in Bhopal, wedding processions continued despite the heavy downpour. The intense storms even caused a tower to collapse in Ashoknagar, and in Mandsaur, roads were submerged due to the relentless rain.
As a result of the severe weather, the Meteorological Department issued a hailstorm warning for 16 districts, including Gwalior, Sheopur, Morena, Bhind, and Datia. Thunderstorms and rain are also expected to affect Indore, Bhopal, Ujjain, Jabalpur, and several other regions today, May 6, 2025. Wind speeds in some areas may reach up to 60 km/h, further complicating the already challenging conditions.
The storms not only disrupted festivities but also caused significant temperature drops across the state. Raisen recorded a dramatic fall of 8.6 degrees, reaching a temperature of 27.4°C, making it the coldest area. In contrast, Narsinghpur recorded the highest temperature at 43°C, while other areas, including Bhopal, Indore, and Gwalior, experienced milder drops. In Indore, the night temperature plummeted to 17.2°C, marking the coldest May night in 25 years, according to weather expert AK Shukla, who stated, "Such a cold night in May has not been recorded in the past quarter-century."
Senior meteorologist Dr. Arun Sharma explained that the unusual weather conditions stem from the activation of multiple weather systems: a Western Disturbance, two cyclonic circulations, and a trough. These systems are causing storms, hail, and rain, with similar conditions expected to continue today.
Looking ahead, temperatures in Madhya Pradesh are expected to remain high in several areas. In May, districts like Gwalior, Khargone, and Chhatarpur could see temperatures rise to around 45-47°C. Gwalior is forecast to be the hottest, with temperatures reaching 46-47°C. In Bhopal and Indore, temperatures are expected to remain between 44-45°C. Meteorologists expect a mix of heatwaves and storms as the state moves further into the month of May. Similar weather patterns were seen in the earlier months, with intense heat and rain spells alternating across the state.
Residents of Madhya Pradesh are advised to stay updated on weather warnings and take necessary precautions, especially in hail-prone areas. The recent weather events have not only affected daily life but have also raised concerns about the impact on agriculture and local economies.
In Indore, heavy rainfall accompanied by gusty winds and lightning caused traffic disruptions and chaos across the city around 10 PM on Monday. With around 26mm of rainfall recorded by 11:30 PM, the sudden downpour led to waterlogging in low-lying areas, throwing evening schedules off track. Many wedding functions, underway due to the ongoing Hindu marriage season, were severely impacted, with tents collapsing and power cuts reported at multiple venues. Guests were seen seeking shelter amid the storm, while traffic came to a crawl on key roads.
The rainfall also caused a significant drop in temperatures. Indore recorded a minimum temperature of just 17.2 degrees Celsius, seven degrees below normal, marking the lowest minimum temperature recorded in the city for May in the last decade. The previous lowest was 18.9 degrees Celsius in 2023. According to the Meteorological Department, this year's dip broke the trend, catching both residents and authorities off-guard.
The IMD has forecast further rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds up to May 9 across Indore and parts of the Ujjain division. On Monday, strong winds returned in the afternoon and evening, accompanied by overcast skies that made the entire day feel like the monsoon had arrived early. The day temperature in Indore dropped to 35.0 degrees Celsius, which was six degrees below normal, while the evening temperature at 5:30 PM was recorded at 32.4 degrees Celsius.
Arun Sharma, a scientist at IMD Bhopal, stated, "Indore recorded 70.2 mm of rainfall on Sunday, the highest in the state in the past 24 hours. Due to active weather systems, we expect light to moderate showers, lightning, and gusty winds to continue for the next few days, leading to a further dip in temperatures across Madhya Pradesh."
In nearby districts like Ratlam, Neemuch, Ujjain, and Mandsaur, residents also saw a sudden transformation in weather. In Ratlam, gentle showers brought relief from the heat, while parts of Neemuch and Mandsaur experienced intense hailstorms.
As the weather continues to fluctuate dramatically, residents are urged to remain vigilant and prepared for further changes. The ongoing storms and unexpected temperature drops highlight the need for effective disaster preparedness and response strategies in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
