Bhopal, May 25 -- The air in the state capital on Saturday was unexpectedly mild for late May. Trees swayed in steady gusts through the afternoon, the sky stayed overcast, and many stepped out without the usual sun protection-because there was little sun to guard against.
Yet today marks the beginning of Nautapa, the nine-day stretch that traditionally brings the fiercest summer heat and prepares the land for the coming monsoon.
In the past, these days have dried up ponds, quieted birdsong, and made the ground crack underfoot. This year, though, they follow spells of cool breezes and unseasonal weather.
Across Madhya Pradesh, this unusual start reflects a broader shift. Over the past fortnight, the state has seen everything from untimely...