Weather takes thundery twist, city witnesses light rain

Indore/Khargone: The city experienced a sharp turn in weather on Monday afternoon as clear skies gave way to dark, gathering clouds. By late afternoon, light and scattered rain was reported in several parts, offering brief relief from the day's heat but signalling a larger shift across the region. Day temperature in Indore settled at 36.5 degrees Celsius, while night temperature dropped to 19.9 degrees Celsius. A trace of rainfall was recorded at meteorological centre. The night temperature, which crossed 22 degrees mark on Sunday, dipped on Monday bringing a noticeable coolness after sunset.The change was not limited to Indore. Across Madhya Pradesh, weather conditions shifted rapidly. Bhopal, Mandsaur and Neemuch recorded intense rainfall, with hailstorms reported in Mandsaur and Neemuch. In Indore, Ujjain and Dhar, the day began under a blanket of clouds, followed by rain in several pockets after noon.Rain activity was also recorded in Khandwa, Ratlam and Dewas. In Neemuch and Jhirniya region of Khargone, hailstones the size of gram and berries fell around 4 pm, accompanied by strong showers. Similar conditions were observed in Badnagar in Ujjain district and parts of Dhar, including Kukshi, Dahi, Jobat and Bagh, where thunder and lightning accompanied rainfall.Khargone presented a striking contrast. The district recorded its highest March temperature in five years at 39 degrees Celsius, with the minimum at 21.2 degrees Celsius, reflecting intense daytime heat. Despite this, weather conditions shifted by evening. While the district headquarters remained under strong sunlight and hot winds for most of the day, several areas saw a sudden change later.Parts of Bhikangaon, Bistan and adjoining regions received rain, while villages such as Piprar and Goradia witnessed hailstorms with marble-sized hailstones. Residents described a sudden drop in visibility as winds picked up, followed by sharp bursts of rain and ice pellets. Many farmers rushed to cover harvested produce, while those with standing crops watched the skies with concern.According to local records, such high March temperatures are unusual for Khargone, with previous years recording lower peaks. The simultaneous occurrence of heat and hail added to the unpredictability of the season.Meteorologist HS Pandey said that the shift was due to moisture from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal interacting with an active western disturbance, along with a cyclonic circulation and trough line. The system is expected to remain active for the next three to four days, with more districts likely to witness light to moderate rain and gusty winds.While the sudden showers brought relief from rising heat, concerns have grown among farmers. Harvested wheat lying in fields and threshing yards remains vulnerable, raising fears of damage and potential losses if such conditions persist.