Madhya Pradesh is experiencing unprecedented winter weather conditions, with parts of the state recording temperatures lower than popular Himalayan tourist destinations. Kalyanpur in Shahdol district has emerged as the coldest location in the state, registering 3.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday-Sunday night.
Hill Stations Left Behind
The temperature reading has stunned weather observers, as Kalyanpur proved colder than several renowned hill stations. Last night, Dehradun recorded 7.1 degrees, Mussoorie 10.6 degrees, Gulmarg 3.5 degrees, Katra 4.3 degrees, Srinagar 6 degrees, Shimla 4.9 degrees, and Manali 6.5 degrees.
Dense fog has blanketed the northern part of the state, affecting 16 districts on Monday morning. The fog created visibility issues across Gwalior, Bhind, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Damoh, Panna, Katni, Satna, Maihar, Umaria, Shahdol, Sidhi, Singrauli, Mauganj, and Rewa. In some areas, visibility dropped below 200 meters, severely disrupting daily life.
Cold Winds From Kashmir
The weather department attributes the sudden cold spell to an active Western Disturbance advancing in the Himalayan region. Cold winds from Kashmir, where snow has covered Gulmarg and Sonamarg, are now sweeping across Madhya Pradesh. Similar weather changes in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have contributed to the temperature drop.
Major cities across the state have recorded sharp declines in mercury levels. Bhopal registered 6.8 degrees Celsius, making it one of the coldest nights of the season. Indore recorded 7.5 degrees, marking the lowest December temperature in 25 years. The city last experienced such severe cold a quarter-century ago.
Major Cities Feel The Chill
Other significant temperature readings include Gwalior at 9.3 degrees, Jabalpur at 8.2 degrees, and Ujjain at 10.5 degrees. Smaller towns and rural areas faced even harsher conditions. Umaria recorded 4.7 degrees, Pachmarhi 4.8 degrees, Khajuraho 6 degrees, and Rewa 7 degrees.
Transportation has suffered major disruptions due to the fog. Trains arriving from Delhi face the most significant delays. Services to Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior, and Ujjain are running behind schedule. Major trains including Malwa, Jhelum, Shatabdi, Sachkhand, and Punjab Mail are arriving up to eight hours late. The fog has affected both rail and air travel since December 16.
Records Tumble Across State
This year marks record-breaking cold for the region. November saw a cold wave persist in Bhopal for 15 consecutive days, the longest stretch since 1931. On November 17, the temperature plummeted to 5.2 degrees, breaking the previous record of 6.1 degrees set on November 30, 1941. In December, Bhopal has already fallen below 5 degrees again.
The meteorological department explains that December and January typically bring the most severe cold to Madhya Pradesh. During these months, northern winds flow more intensely into the state, similar to how June and July deliver the bulk of monsoon rainfall. Western Disturbances activate during this period, creating Mavtha conditions that intensify daytime cold.
All districts in the Gwalior, Chambal, and Ujjain divisions face severe cold as snowy winds blow directly from the north. Sagar and Rewa divisions also experience harsh conditions. In Bhopal division, Sehore, Raisen, Rajgarh, and Vidisha report intense cold, with Rajgarh reaching 4 degrees.
Safety Advisories Issued
The weather department has issued advisories urging residents to drive carefully in low visibility, avoid unnecessary travel, and use fog lamps. Health guidelines recommend covering extremities, eating vitamin C-rich foods, and consulting doctors for respiratory issues. Farmers received warnings about moisture damage to crops, particularly tomatoes, chili, cauliflower, and mustard.
Pachmarhi witnessed a light frost layer on leaves Sunday morning, with temperatures hovering around 5.6 degrees Celsius, adding to the unusual winter conditions gripping Madhya Pradesh.
| City | Temperature (°C) |
|---|---|
| Kalyanpur | 3.4 |
| Umaria | 4.7 |
| Pachmarhi | 4.8 |
| Khajuraho | 6.0 |
| Bhopal | 6.8 |
| Rewa | 7.0 |
| Indore | 7.5 |
| Jabalpur | 8.2 |
| Gwalior | 9.3 |
| Ujjain | 10.5 |
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