The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday issued a yellow alert, a forewarning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning strikes in 21 districts of Madhya Pradesh.

According to the IMD, heavy rainfall (64.5 mm to 115.5 mm) with thunderstorms and lightning may hit isolated places of Sagar, Chhatarpur, Damoh, Tikamgarh, Panna, Niwari, Rewa, Satna, Anuppur, Umaria, Dindori, Katni and Narsinghpur districts till Friday. The alert also covers Chhindwara, Seoni, Rajgarh, Vidisha, Raisen, Hoshangabad, Betul and Dhar districts, senior meteorologist P K Saha of the IMD's Bhopal office said. The IMD has also predicted rain or thundershowers for most places in 10 divisions of the state, including Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior and Jabalpur. Madhya Pradesh is witnessing the second wet spell this month. The first spell had ravaged Gwalior and Chambal divisions in the northern part of the state, which left 24 persons dead.

On observation, the monsoon trough is now passing through Gwalior and Sidhi, bringing in moisture and causing rains, Saha said, adding that the wet spell is expected to continue for the next two to three days. At least 8 districts in the state received heavy rainfall (64.5 mm to 115.5 mm), while Singrauli in eastern Madhya Pradesh recorded very heavy showers (123 mm) in the last 24 hours, ending 8.30 am on Thursday, according to IMD.

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