Bhopal Bureau
Summary: Cyclone Murasu‘s effect is now clearly visible in Madhya Pradesh’s weather. The weather department has issued a yellow alert for strong winds and rain in 23 districts of the state on Tuesday. The changed weather is expected to continue in many parts of the state for the next three days, though the weather is expected to stay completely clear across the state on Dhanteras, 6 November.
After Cyclone Murasu struck the Andhra coast, its moisture and winds have reached Madhya Pradesh. From Tuesday morning, clouds began gathering over the eastern and southern parts of the state, while sunshine continued in the western parts. According to the forecast from the meteorological centre in Bhopal, thundershowers are possible in 23 districts in the next 24 hours, with strong winds blowing at 30 to 40 kilometres per hour. This spell of changed weather will not be limited to a single day; storm and rain may continue in many areas of the state for three days.
Which districts are under alert today
Tuesday’s alert covers districts of the Jabalpur division and the Vindhya-Mahakoshal region, along with several districts of the Narmadapuram division. The 23 districts under the storm-and-rain alert are Barwani, Khargone, Khandwa, Burhanpur, Harda, Narmadapuram, Betul, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Pandhurna, Jabalpur, Seoni, Balaghat, Mandla, Dindori, Anuppur, Shahdol, Umaria, Katni, Maihar, Sidhi, Mauganj and Singrauli. In these districts, thundershowers with strong winds are expected alongside cloudy skies.
A yellow alert means that people should keep an eye on changing weather and take a little extra care in their daily routine. During strong winds accompanied by rain, tree branches can break, power lines can be affected and water can collect on roads. People living in these districts should therefore follow the latest weather information closely, especially when setting out on a long journey or working outdoors.
Where sunshine will continue and weather will stay dry
One interesting aspect of Murasu’s effect is that the state appears divided into two parts. While the eastern and southern districts are under a rain alert, the western and northern districts continue to see dry weather. Sunshine and clear weather are expected on Tuesday in Bhopal, Raisen, Sehore, Rajgarh, Vidisha, Indore, Dhar, Alirajpur, Jhabua, Ujjain, Neemuch, Agar-Malwa, Mandsaur, Shajapur, Dewas, Ratlam, Gwalior, Guna, Shivpuri, Datia, Ashoknagar, Morena, Bhind, Sheopur, Rewa, Satna, Sagar, Panna, Damoh, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh and Niwari.
This means that people in the state capital Bhopal and the commercial capital Indore will not face rain-related disruption on Tuesday. With sunshine continuing, daily work can proceed normally. However, a cooling trend is being felt in these cities too, because the change in wind direction has pushed both day and night temperatures below normal.
More rain on 4 and 5 November, relief on Dhanteras
According to the weather forecast, light to moderate rain may continue in some parts of the state on 4 and 5 November as well. In other words, the spell of clouds and showers will not fully stop on Wednesday and Thursday in the eastern and southern parts. Districts under alert on Tuesday will need to keep watching the weather over the next two days.
The best news from the point of view of festival preparations is that the weather is expected to stay completely clear across the state on 6 November, Dhanteras. Markets see huge crowds on Dhanteras, when people buy gold and silver, utensils, vehicles and household goods. Clear weather means rain will not disrupt shopping and festival activity. This is also a relief for traders, because a large part of Dhanteras shopping depends on open markets and streets.
Temperature falls: cooler nights, days below normal too
Along with rain and clouds, temperatures have also fallen clearly. In the Bhopal, Indore, Narmadapuram, Ujjain, Gwalior, Rewa, Jabalpur and Sagar divisions, maximum daytime temperatures are running 1.7 to 2.7 degrees Celsius below normal. In the Bhopal, Narmadapuram, Chambal, Rewa and Sagar divisions, minimum night temperatures are 1.8 to 3 degrees below normal. Daytime temperatures are currently hovering around 32 degrees, which gives a feeling of coolness for the beginning of November.
Last night, the lowest temperature in the state was recorded at Girwar in Shajapur district, at 14.6 degrees Celsius. Damoh recorded 14.8 degrees, Bhopal 15 degrees, Pachmarhi 15.4 degrees and Karondi in Katni 15.6 degrees. These figures show that nights are gradually getting cooler and a light chill is now being felt in the morning and evening. Protection from the night chill has now become important for the elderly, children and people who are unwell.
Where Murasu came from and how its effect reached the state
Cyclone Murasu struck the Andhra Pradesh coast, where strong winds and heavy rain affected normal life. After hitting the coast, its moisture-laden winds moved towards the interior, creating cloudy and rainy conditions in the eastern and southern parts of Madhya Pradesh. That is why, despite the distance from the coast, a storm-and-rain alert had to be issued for 23 districts of the state.
Earlier forecasts had also mentioned Murasu’s effect on the state, but Tuesday’s bulletin presents a clearer picture. Now both the number of districts under alert and the wind speed are clear. Moisture is higher in the eastern parts, so the chance of rain is greater there, while less moisture is reaching the western parts, which is why sunshine and dry weather continue there.
Winter to strengthen from the second week of November
Weather scientists expect that from the second week of November, with the arrival of northerly winds, winter will begin to show its strength. Temperatures may fall rapidly, particularly in the Gwalior-Chambal region. The month of November also has a history of severe cold in the state. About 57 years ago in November, Gwalior’s minimum temperature had fallen to 3 degrees Celsius, while about 53 years ago, Ujjain recorded a low of 2.3 degrees.
Morning chill is therefore likely to increase further in the coming days. People who leave for work early in the morning will begin to need warm clothes. This period is also important for farmers, because a fall in night temperatures affects crops. However, the current spell of rain is expected to remain light to moderate, so no major damage to crops has been indicated.
Precautions to take on rainy days
Some simple precautions are very useful on days under a storm-and-rain alert. During strong winds, people should avoid standing under trees or near electricity poles. While driving on waterlogged roads, speed should be kept low, because it is difficult to judge the depth of water. People working in open fields should move to a safe place during thunder and lightning.
At home too, electrical equipment and rooftops should be checked during rainy days so that water seepage does not cause damage. People going to markets should carry an umbrella and essential items, especially in districts under alert. The weather around 6 November is expected to be the most favourable for festival shopping, so planning major purchases around that day would be sensible.
What next: eyes on the next bulletin
The next weather bulletin will make it clear how wide the rain remains on 4 and 5 November and in which districts the alert continues or is withdrawn. The forecast of clear weather on Dhanteras will also be watched closely, because a change in weather on the festival day directly affects markets and traffic. For now, Tuesday’s alert, the fall in temperatures and the hope of clear weather on Dhanteras form the main picture of the state’s weather.
For the people of the state, the advice is simple: check the alert issued for your own district and plan travel and work accordingly. Keep preparations ready for rain in the eastern and southern districts, while the western districts can use the sunshine to advance their festival preparations.
Disclaimer: This report has been prepared on the basis of available sources and verification. If any fact is found to be incorrect, a correction will be published.
