Madhya Pradesh (MP) is facing a sharp drop in temperatures as icy winds from the north continue to sweep across the state. Minimum temperatures fell below 10°C in most cities, pushing the state into a prolonged cold wave.
Residents woke up on Monday to biting wind, low visibility, and layers of fog in several districts. People in Bhopal lit bonfires along main roads, tea stalls, and bus stops. The Meteorological Department said the situation will worsen over the next 48 hours.
MP Weather Today
Bhopal recorded 7.2°C, marking the third straight day of severe cold. Locals stood in long queues outside tea shops from early morning. Schoolchildren were seen wrapped in woolen caps and heavy sweaters. Many parents said the early-school timings are difficult. “Children are shivering when they step out at 7 a.m. The cold is too strong,” a parent said outside a Bhopal school gate.
Ujjain faced its coldest night of the season at 9°C. Gwalior stood at 8.9°C, and Jabalpur touched 8.3°C. In Pachmarhi, the only hill station of the state, the temperature dropped to 5.2°C. Fog covered hills, lakes, and forest routes and tourists filmed the mist floating over water bodies.
Meteorologists attributed the cold wave to a western disturbance that triggered snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Cold winds have been blowing directly into Madhya Pradesh since Saturday night.
The cold wave alert is active in Bhopal, Indore, Sehore, Rajgarh, Shajapur, and Shahdol. The mercury may fall below 5°C in some pockets. Kalyanpur in Shahdol recorded 4.2°C, the lowest in the state. Indore slipped to 5.7°C, breaking its 10-year December record. The previous figure was 7°C in December 2015.
Rajgarh touched 6°C. People lit fires at street corners and public squares. Those waiting for buses wrapped themselves in blankets. Shops opened late in many areas. Daily workers and street vendors postponed their usual schedules and waited for sunlight.
Umaria, Nowgaon, Raisen, Khajuraho, Mandla, Betul, Satna, Damoh, Narsinghpur, and Chhindwara also reported steep falls. Chhindwara’s local weather office warned of a cold wave lasting 10 days.
School timings changed
School timings changed only in select districts. In Akodia, classes now start at 8:30 a.m. The administration issued instructions due to low morning visibility. But in other districts, children still stepped out before sunrise.
Shivpuri reported relief from fog but remained cold at 10°C. Monkeys were seen basking in the sun across temple steps and park walls. In Ashoknagar, early mornings continued to freeze, though the day offered mild sunshine.
Meteorologists said winds from three directions are meeting over Madhya Pradesh. Snowy gusts from the Himalayan belt, dry winds from Rajasthan, and cold air from Punjab and Haryana are pushing temperatures to lower levels. Moisture in the air from Arabian Sea circulation caused cloud cover on Sunday, which worsened the chill after sunset.
Locals in Raisen said dew droplets turned to ice on farm crops for the past four days. In many rural pockets, farmers delayed harvesting due to stiff morning frost.
The coming days may see stronger winds. State officials advised citizens to avoid early travel, especially for children and seniors.
Temperature across cities
| City | Temperature (°C) | Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Bhopal | 7.2 | Cold wave, strong winds |
| Ujjain | 9 | Dense cold winds |
| Pachmarhi | 5.2 | Foggy morning, icy wind |
| Gwalior | 8.9 | Low visibility, cold winds |
| Jabalpur | 8.3 | Cold wave continues |
| Indore | 5.7 | Record low, strong chill |
| Rajgarh | 6 | Bonfires, cold wave alert |
| Kalyanpur (Shahdol) | 4.2 | State’s lowest, severe cold |
Meteorologists expect December to remain harsh. January may dip further if northern snowfall intensifies. The cold wave has already set new seasonal records across Madhya Pradesh, pointing to a winter far stronger than previous years.
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