After enduring a day of relentless heat, residents of Indore witnessed a slight change in weather on Sunday evening as clouds gathered and light rain was reported in several areas. Isolated drizzle brought momentary relief, though the overall heat remained largely unchanged.
Temperature Surge
The city recorded a sharp rise in temperature, with the maximum touching 43 degrees Celsius, one degree higher for the first time this season. This marks the second time in a decade that Indore has reached the 43-degree mark in April. In 2019, the city recorded 43.5 degrees Celsius, which was the highest day temperature for April in a decade.
Night conditions remained equally uncomfortable, with the minimum temperature climbing to 28.6 degrees Celsius, indicating a warm night. This was five degrees above normal. The Met department stated that warm night and heatwave alerts will continue for Indore and nearby areas on Monday as well.
Previous Day's Heat
Saturday had already gone on record as the hottest day of the season so far, with the mercury crossing 42 degrees Celsius. In just 24 hours, the day temperature increased by one degree, while the night temperature surged by nearly six degrees, intensifying discomfort.
The impact of the heatwave was evident across the city. Roads remained relatively empty during peak afternoon hours as people avoided stepping out unless necessary. At busy intersections, motorists were seen seeking shade while waiting for traffic signals, as even brief exposure to the sun caused visible distress. Inside homes, fans failed to provide adequate comfort, and hot winds continued well into the night, affecting sleep and leaving residents fatigued.
Weather Forecast
Weather experts from the India Meteorological Department have cautioned that temperatures may rise further, with the possibility of touching 44 degrees Celsius in the coming days. Meteorologist Arun Sharma stated that isolated rain activity may continue, while an orange alert remains in place for Indore, Ratlam, and Dhar. Warm night conditions are also likely to persist in Indore and Ujjain.
The department has forecast a gradual change towards the end of April, with chances of rain and thunderstorms linked to an approaching western disturbance. A marginal dip of around two degrees is expected after April 28, which may provide limited but much-needed relief.
Heatwave Across Western MP
Temperatures remained near extreme levels across western Madhya Pradesh, with several districts approaching the 44-degree mark under a heatwave alert. In Ratlam, the mercury dipped slightly to 43.6 degrees Celsius on Sunday after touching 44.5 degrees Celsius a day earlier, even as parts of the district saw light rain and thunderstorms. Dhar also stayed under intense heat. Ujjain recorded 42.5 degrees Celsius, while Khargone and Khandwa reported 42.6 degrees Celsius and 42.1 degrees Celsius respectively, reflecting widespread heatwave conditions across the region.
