Bhopal, June 5 (IANS) The Meteorological Centre in Bhopal has issued a warning of thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms and gusty winds reaching speeds of 50-60 kmph across Madhya Pradesh over the next five days, as several parts of the state recorded widespread rainfall.

According to the weather office, Bardanagar received 58 mm of rainfall, Sailana 50 mm and Kolar 40 mm, among other places.

Strong winds were recorded in Sehore at 91 kmph, Bhopal at 59 kmph and the Guna-Ashoknagar region at 50 kmph, indicating the intensity of the ongoing weather activity.

Moderate thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and wind speeds of up to 60 kmph are likely over Bhopal, Bairagarh, Vidisha and Raisen-Sanchi.

Light thunderstorms with lightning and wind speeds of up to 40 kmph are expected in Bhind, Gwalior, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur-Khajuraho, Ashoknagar, Shivpuri, Mandla, Dindori, Khargone, Burhanpur, Sehore, Narmadapuram, Panna and Anuppur-Amarkantak during the midnight hours.

The forecast has also warned of thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds in districts including Mandsaur, Neemuch, Chhindwara, Seoni, Ashoknagar, Shivpuri, Shyopur, Damoh and Sagar.

Bhopal, Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, Rajgarh, Narmadapuram, Betul, Harda, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Khargone, Barwani, Alirajpur, Jhabua, Dhar, Indore, Ratlam, Ujjain, Dewas, Shajapur, Agar, Guna, Gwalior, Datia, Bhind, Morena, Satna, Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, Mandla, Balaghat, Panna, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh and Niwari are also under alert for gusty winds of 40-50 kmph.

The department has advised farmers to postpone harvesting and storage activities until conditions normalise, while residents have been urged to avoid open fields, water bodies and temporary structures during lightning and storm activity.

Precautionary measures include securing loose objects, remaining indoors during thunderstorms and ensuring livestock are sheltered safely.

Officials have also cautioned that hailstorms may damage crops, fruits, vegetables and weak structures in districts such as Bhopal, Dewas, Jhabua and Shajapur.

Dust storms are expected in Bhopal, Dewas, Khargone, Damoh, Jabalpur, Jhabua, Mandsaur, Rajgarh, Sehore and Shajapur.

With the southwest monsoon advancing into parts of Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and the Bay of Bengal, conditions remain favourable for further progress in the coming days.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has urged citizens to remain alert and follow advisories issued by local authorities to minimise risks during this period of intense weather activity.

–IANS

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