Rain relief likely in second half of Nautapa

Indore: City residents are likely to experience a mixed Nautapa this year, with scorching heat and heatwave conditions expected during the opening days, followed by cloudy skies and chances of light rainfall towards the end of the nine-day period.According to weather experts, the changing conditions could prevent Nautapa from becoming as harsh as traditionally witnessed in central India.According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), the first half of Nautapa from May 25 to May 30 is likely to remain extremely hot in most parts of western MP, including Indore and Ujjain divisions. Arun Sharma from IMD Bhopal said that heatwave conditions were expected during this period due to strong solar radiation and dry weather patterns.Weather conditions are, however, expected to shift from May 31 onwards. “There are chances of isolated light rainfall between May 31 and June 2 due to an approaching western disturbance and moisture incursion over the region,” Sharma said.Meteorologists noted that in recent years, Nautapa has not remained consistently severe. Instead, several regions, including Indore, have witnessed pre-monsoon showers, thunderstorms and cloudy weather during the period. Similar conditions are likely this year as well.The city has already seen a steady drop in temperatures over the past three days. Indore’s maximum temperature, which had reached 44.3 degrees Celsius earlier this week, came down to 40.4 degrees Celsius on Thursday, marking a decline of nearly four degrees.The temperature rose on Friday once again to 41.4 degree Celsius which was a degree above normal. The minimum temperature was recorded at 27 degrees Celsius, around two degrees below normal.According to the weather centre, north-westerly winds with speeds of up to 21 kmph prevailed across the city. Similar weather conditions are expected to continue over the next two days.Weather experts said that cloud formation and rainfall activity may intensify further during the first week of June. If the rainfall pattern develops as predicted, daytime temperatures in Indore could drop to nearly 37 degrees Celsius, bringing major relief from the prolonged summer heat and ongoing water shortage in several parts of the city.BOX9 Days Of Intense HeatNautapa, considered the hottest phase of summer, will begin on May 25 and continue till June 2. The period starts when the sun enters Rohini Nakshatra and is usually associated with extreme daytime temperatures across Madhya Pradesh.TableTemperatures across regionRatlam-43 degree CelsiusUjjain 42 degree CelsiusKhargone-42.2 degree CelsiusKhandwa-42.5Dhar-41.6Indore-41.4