
The Meteorological Centre in Bhopal has issued a rain and thunderstorm alert for 21 districts of Madhya Pradesh over the next 24 hours. Strong winds of 30 to 40 kmph are also expected. The alert covers Gwalior, Ujjain, Neemuch, Mandsaur, Agar-Malwa, Rajgarh, Ratlam, Jhabua, Dhar, Alirajpur, Guna, Ashoknagar, Shivpuri, Sheopur, Morena, Bhind, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur and Panna.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), two cyclonic circulations active over northwestern Madhya Pradesh are expected to keep weather unsettled for the next four days across the Gwalior, Chambal, Ujjain, Sagar, Narmadapuram, Rewa and Jabalpur divisions. The southwest monsoon withdrew from the state on 3 October, but isolated rainfall continues.
IMD forecasts further rainfall on 18 and 19 October in Neemuch, Mandsaur, Sheopur, Shivpuri, Guna, Ashoknagar, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Sidhi, Mauganj, Singrauli, Seoni and Balaghat. The weather system is expected to weaken from 20 October, reducing the chance of heavy rain.
The alert affects farming and daily life across 21 districts, with the unsettled weather persisting for four days despite the monsoon's withdrawal on 3 October. Two active cyclonic circulations over northwestern Madhya Pradesh are driving the rain, and their weakening from 20 October will determine whether the break in rainfall holds. The report also notes a drop in minimum temperatures, with Amarkantak recording 16.6°C, which could signal the onset of cooler conditions as the state moves toward winter.
Source: freepressjournal.in
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.