A cold wave gripped large parts of Madhya Pradesh on Friday. The chill pushed night temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius in many cities. Seven districts, including Bhopal and Indore, came under a cold wave alert.
The drop in temperature followed steady snowfall in northern hill states. The state has faced sharp cold for nearly two weeks. People in several districts woke up to icy winds and fog on Friday morning.
Bhopal recorded 9.6 degrees Celsius during the night of 20 and 21 November. Indore logged 8.4 degrees. A sharp fall in the minimum temperature brought discomfort to daily wage earners, street vendors, and those working outdoors.
Cold Wave Grips Seven MP Districts
The weather office reported cold day conditions in Narsinghpur. Many towns saw reduced visibility. Narmadapuram had fog with visibility ranging from 500 to 1,000 meters.
The cold also brought hardship. One person died in Rewa on Thursday. A young man in Raisen had died earlier in the week. Families claimed these deaths were due to the cold. Officials have not confirmed this. The claims raised concern in rural pockets where people have limited access to warm shelters.
Pachmarhi touched 5.8 degrees Celsius for the first time this season on Thursday night. It is the only hill station in the state and often records the lowest temperatures. Residents noted sharp winds in the evening and early morning. Shops opened late as people stayed indoors to avoid the chill.
Many cities recorded temperatures below 10 degrees. Gwalior stood at 12.8 degrees, Ujjain at 11.5, and Jabalpur at 11.1. Naugaon in Chhatarpur logged 8.5. Khargone noted 8.8. Narsinghpur recorded 9. Khandwa logged 9.4. Several other cities also saw night temperatures fall.
Daytime temperatures dipped as well. In Bhopal, cold winds blew through the afternoon. Many residents layered up early in the day. Morning fog covered parts of Jabalpur and Narmadapuram.
Month followed unusual trend
A change in wind direction may bring relief from Saturday. Senior weather scientist Dr. Divya E. Surendran said, “The wind pattern has changed. Due to this, there will be relief from the cold wave.” The shift may raise night temperatures slightly. The advisory offers short-term comfort, though the chill is expected to return next week.
The month has followed an unusual trend. For the last decade, the first week of November has brought light rain followed by a cold spell. The pattern held this year as well. The second week generally brings sharper cold, yet the first week turned out to be far colder than usual.
October also ended with a sharp rise in rainfall. The state received an average of 2.8 inches of rain, which is higher than the normal 1.3 inches. The wet conditions may have contributed to the early cold in November.
Residents in many cities plan to adjust their routines. Early morning commuters, schoolchildren, and roadside sellers are preparing for colder days ahead. Health workers in rural areas urged people to use warm clothing and avoid long exposure to cold winds. There was also rising concern for homeless groups who spend nights in the open.
Many districts now look for temporary shelters and firewood arrangements. Local groups stepped in to distribute blankets in some areas. These efforts may grow if the cold returns with more force next week.
City temperatures & short forecasts
| City | Temperature (°C) | Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Bhopal | 9.6 | Slight rise, cold winds |
| Indore | 8.4 | Slight rise, windy |
| Gwalior | 12.8 | Stable, mild chill |
| Ujjain | 11.5 | Stable, morning fog |
| Jabalpur | 11.1 | Fog, cool days |
| Naugaon (Chhatarpur) | 8.5 | Sharp morning chill |
| Khargone | 8.8 | Clear sky, cold nights |
| Narsinghpur | 9 | Cool days, fog |
| Khandwa | 9.4 | Slight rise in night temperature |
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