Madhya Pradesh is shivering under an intense cold weather as temperatures plummet to near-freezing levels and dense fog disrupts daily life across the state. The weather department has issued cold wave alerts for five districts and fog warnings for 22 others, affecting transportation and outdoor activities.
Record-Breaking Temperatures Hit Cities
Bhopal recorded its third coldest night in a decade on Tuesday morning when the mercury dropped to 4.8 degrees Celsius. The capital city has become the eighth coldest in India and the second coldest in Madhya Pradesh. Last year on December 16, Bhopal had recorded an even lower temperature of 3.3 degrees Celsius.
Shajapur emerged as the coldest place in the state with temperatures touching 4.4 degrees Celsius. Other cities also experienced severe cold, with Mandsaur at 4.6 degrees, Pachmarhi at 5.2 degrees, and Indore at 5.4 degrees Celsius. In Pachmarhi, the morning dew froze like sheets of ice across the plains, airstrip golf course, and lake areas.
Dense fog has severely affected rail and air travel. Railway officials reported that more than 35 trains were delayed over two days due to reduced visibility. Some long-distance trains from Delhi to Bhopal ran six to seven hours late, leaving passengers stranded at stations.
“Visibility has been reduced due to fog. Although anti-fog devices have been installed in the trains, their effect is not as effective as expected. Due to this, the speed of trains has to be kept low, which is increasing the delay,” railway officials explained.
Visibility dropped to alarming levels in several areas. Naugaon in Chhatarpur recorded visibility between 500 meters to one kilometer, while Rewa, Satna, and Sidhi saw visibility range from just 200 to 500 meters.
Weather Alerts and Safety Advisories
The Meteorological Department has issued dense fog alerts for 22 districts including Bhopal, Gwalior, Morena, Bhind, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna, Rewa, Mauganj, Maihar, Sidhi, Singrauli, Shahdol, Umaria, Katni, Jabalpur, Damoh, Sagar, and Vidisha.
Cold wave alerts remain in effect for Bhopal, Raisen, Rajgarh, Shajapur, and Sehore. Weather experts have advised residents to drive carefully during fog conditions, use fog lights, and maintain slow speeds while traveling.
The weather department has issued specific health advisories for residents. People are urged to cover their heads, necks, fingers, and toes to maintain body warmth during extreme cold. Anyone experiencing flu, cold, or cough should consult a doctor immediately. Consuming fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C has been recommended.
Farmers have been advised to sow wheat, gram, mustard, and pea crops only where there is adequate soil moisture. Agricultural scientists are available for consultation where crops have already been sown. The department has strongly cautioned against burning crop residue or stumps.
More Cold Days Ahead
According to weather experts, a new western disturbance will affect the western Himalayan region starting December 17. DP Dubey, retired director of the Bhopal Meteorological Centre, explained that La Niña’s activity is prolonging the cold spell. The cooling of the Pacific Ocean pushes cold air pressure toward Asia and India.
The jet stream, a strong wind blowing at 12 kilometers above ground, is currently flowing at 222 kilometers per hour, intensifying the cold conditions. Cold waves could persist for 20 to 22 days in January, bringing an extended period of bitter cold to the state.
Temperature Data Across Major Cities
| City | Temperature (°C) | Weather Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Shajapur | 4.4 | Dense fog, cold wave alert |
| Mandsaur | 4.6 | Fog expected |
| Bhopal | 4.8 | Dense fog, cold wave alert |
| Pachmarhi | 5.2 | Cold conditions |
| Indore | 5.4 | Fog expected |
| Rewa | 5.5 | Dense fog, low visibility |
| Raisen | 6.5 | Cold wave alert |
| Malajkhand | 7.1 | Cold conditions |
| Umaria | 7.2 | Dense fog expected |
| Narsinghpur | 8.0 | Fog expected |
| Khajuraho | 8.0 | Dense fog expected |
| Damoh | 8.3 | Dense fog expected |
| Mandla | 8.3 | Fog expected |
| Datia | 8.3 | Dense fog expected |
| Gwalior | 9.0 | Dense fog expected |
| Jabalpur | 9.0 | Dense fog expected |
| Ujjain | 9.5 | Fog expected |
The combination of early snowfall in northern mountains and La Niña activity has created an unusually prolonged cold spell across central India.
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