93 kmph winds, rain, toppled trees & power outages throw life out of gear in Malwa region

Indore: Dark clouds, towering dust storms and powerful winds sweeping through city roads marked a dramatic change in weather across Indore and parts of Malwa region on Monday afternoon.

Gusts reaching nearly 93 kmph uprooted trees, toppled hoardings and disrupted traffic at several locations, while light rain brought cooler conditions and relief from the prevailing warm weather. According to Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), more than 40 trees were uprooted across different parts of the city due to the strong winds, prompting emergency teams to undertake clearance operations at multiple locations.

The weather changed rapidly around 4 pm as strong winds swept across the city, reducing visibility in several areas. Dust storms were reported from different parts of Indore, forcing commuters and two-wheeler riders to seek shelter. Within minutes, roads were littered with fallen branches, debris and construction material.

The storm also caused damage near Greater Kailash Hospital, where a tree crashed on three parked cars. Along AB Road, gusts uprooted tin sheds and barricades installed at road and bridge construction sites. Debris was scattered across the carriageway, disrupting traffic movement on both sides before authorities cleared the route.

In Rau, a large roadside hoarding collapsed on a busy road due to the strong winds, blocking traffic in both directions. The corporation teams later cleared the obstruction using earthmovers.

In Khatipura, a tree and an electricity pole fell near a govt school, damaging a parked car and causing traffic congestion.

Met officials said Indore recorded 0.5 mm rainfall till evening. The maximum temperature settled at 38.1 degrees Celsius, two degrees below normal, while the minimum temperature was 26.4 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal.

By 5.30 pm, the temperature had dropped sharply to 29.6 degrees Celsius. Relative humidity was recorded at 68 per cent.

The storm’s impact extended beyond Indore. At Dewas’ Chamunda Mata Tekri, ropeway cabins swayed visibly in the strong winds. In Mhow, strong winds triggered widespread disruption on Monday, uprooting trees, toppling signboards and blocking key roads. A signboard fell on a parked car outside Rau police station, while fallen trees disrupted traffic on the Mhow-Simrol road and old Agra-Mumbai highway.

Power supply was also affected after trees damaged overhead electricity lines. Rain and strong winds also affected Pithampur, Shajapur and Mandsaur, causing traffic disruptions, power outages and waterlogging. No casualties were reported from the affected areas.

Ujjain also witnessed a sharp change in weather on Monday afternoon as dark clouds gathered over the city. Strong winds blowing at 20 to 30 kmph kicked up dust across roads and open areas before rain began amid thunder and lightning.