Donkeys fed 'gulab jamuns' in ritual amid rainfall deficit in 35 MP districts

BHOPAL: Donkeys were fed 'gulab jamuns' in Bhopal on Saturday as part of a traditional ritual aimed at invoking rainfall in Madhya Pradesh, where 35 districts have so far recorded below-normal precipitation this monsoon season.The ritual was held around 11 am along Kolar Road. Participants also offered prayers seeking good rainfall across the state, according to news agency PTI.One of the participants said the ritual was performed to please Indra, the Hindu god of rain.Interestingly, Bhopal itself has received 400.3 millimetres of rainfall since the onset of the monsoon, which is 44 per cent above the normal average for this period, according to SN Sahu, senior meteorologist at the India Meteorological Department's Bhopal office.Sahu said Madhya Pradesh is likely to witness a wet spell beginning Sunday.According to official data, 35 districts in the state have recorded below-normal rainfall so far this monsoon.These include Chhindwara, Damoh, Dindori, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Mandla, Mauganj, Narsinghpur, Pandhurna, Panna, Rewa, Sagar, Satna, Seoni, Shahdol, Sidhi, Singrauli, Tikamgarh, Umaria and Alirajpur.Other districts that have received below-normal rainfall are Barwani, Betul, Datia, Dhar, Jhabua, Morena, Narmadapuram, Raisen, Sheopur, Shivpuri, Anuppur, Balaghat, Chhatarpur and Vidisha.Get the latest City News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bhopal | Silver Rate in Bhopal | Bank Holidays in Bhopal | Public Holidays in Bhopal | Petrol Price in Bhopal | Diesel Price in Bhopal | CNG Price in Bhopal | LPG Price in BhopalStay updated with the latest Bhopal news. Download the TOI App.