Bhopal, June 8 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh has received 24 per cent more rainfall than the long-period average (LPA) between June 1 and June 8, bringing much-needed relief to farmers and raising hopes for a good monsoon season, the Meteorological Department said on Monday.

The long-period average rainfall for this period was 8.3 mm, but the state has already received more than half an inch (over 12.7 mm).

Several districts have witnessed heavy showers, with Bhopal, Agar-Malwa, and Shajapur receiving around 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Neemuch recorded more than 2.5 inches.

Rainfall was also reported in Satna, Sidhi, Raisen, Rajgarh, Ratlam, Sehore, Shajapur, Sheopur, Harda, Burhanpur, and other areas, where many places recorded an inch (25 mm).

In the last 24 hours, significant rainfall was recorded in Sehore (36 mm), Khategaon (27 mm), Dewas areas (12-4 mm), Vidisha, Khargone, and Khandwa regions.

The Bhopl weather centre has issued a warning for light to moderate thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (up to 40 kmph) in several districts, including Vidisha, Ashoknagar, Sagar, Panna, Satna, Rewa, Maihar, Mauganj, Katni, Jabalpur, Umaria, Seoni, Balaghat, Mandla, Dindori, Anuppur, Shahdol, Sidhi, Singrauli, and Damoh during the afternoon and evening hours.

Thunderstorms and rain were already reported in the past day across Bhopal division (excluding Bhopal city), Khargone, Khandwa, Chhindwara, Jabalpur, and Singrauli.

With the monsoon advancing into Maharashtra on Sunday, weather experts expect it to enter Madhya Pradesh between June 15 and 18, which is in line with the normal schedule. Last year, the monsoon arrived on June 16. While the current showers are classified as pre-monsoon activities, they are being counted towards the overall June-September monsoon rainfall tally. The surplus rainfall has boosted agricultural prospects across the state, particularly in rain-fed regions. However, officials advise farmers to remain cautious of possible waterlogging and lightning risks in the coming days.

–IANS

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