Madhya Pradesh is shivering under an unprecedented cold weather as temperatures plummeted to 2.5 degrees Celsius in Mandsaur, marking one of the coldest nights the state has witnessed this winter season. Snowfall in the Himalayas and intense Western Disturbance activity have combined to bring bone-chilling weather across the state.
The extreme cold has brought life to a near standstill in several parts of Madhya Pradesh. Frozen water droplets were spotted in Mandsaur, while dense fog blanketing the northern regions has caused massive delays in train services. Trains arriving from Delhi are running four to five hours behind schedule, disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers.
The meteorological department has confirmed that powerful jet streams are adding to the cold intensity. These high-altitude winds are sweeping across the region at speeds reaching 213 kilometers per hour at an altitude of 12.6 kilometers above ground level. Weather experts explain that jet streams are strong winds blowing at heights of about 12 kilometers from the surface, and when combined with cold winds from snowy mountains, they significantly intensify winter conditions.
Temperature Drops Across Major Cities
Bhopal recorded a minimum temperature of 4.8 degrees Celsius on the night of December 27-28, while Kalyanpur in Shahdol district emerged as the second coldest location at 2.8 degrees. Shajapur and Rewa both registered 3.2 degrees, making them among the coldest cities in the state.
The cold wave has officially been declared in Bhopal, Indore, Rewa, Mauganj, Rajgarh, Shajapur, Vidisha, Sehore and Seoni. Meanwhile, dense fog has engulfed Gwalior, Chambal, Sagar and Rewa divisions, severely affecting visibility and transportation.
Several major trains including Malwa Express, Shatabdi, Jhelum and Sachkhand have been significantly delayed due to poor visibility caused by fog. The weather department has issued cold wave alerts specifically for Bhopal, Shajapur, Sehore and Rajgarh districts.
Dense fog continues to cover Gwalior, Bhind, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna, Rewa, Maihar, Sidhi and Singrauli. Moderate fog conditions prevail in Bhopal, Indore, Shajapur, Raisen, Vidisha and Sehore districts.
Even daytime temperatures have dropped dramatically. Sidhi recorded just 20.6 degrees during the day on Sunday, while Pachmarhi and Malajkhand saw 20.8 degrees. These unusually low daytime temperatures are making the cold feel even more severe for residents.
More Cold Expected
The weather department has warned that conditions may worsen further. A western disturbance expected to affect the western Himalayan region on December 30 will likely bring even colder winds to Madhya Pradesh, intensifying the cold wave.
This winter has already broken several records in the state. November saw a cold wave persist in Bhopal for 15 consecutive days, the longest streak since 1931. The mercury touched 5.2 degrees on November 17, breaking the previous record of 6.1 degrees set on November 30, 1941. Indore also experienced its coldest night in 25 years when temperatures dropped to 6.4 degrees.
According to the Meteorological Department, December and January are typically the coldest months in Madhya Pradesh, similar to how June and July are crucial for monsoon rainfall. During these winter months, cold winds from North India sweep across the state more frequently, causing sharp drops in temperature. The activation of Western Disturbances in December brings additional cold effects during both day and night.
Worst-Hit Districts
All districts of Gwalior, Chambal and Ujjain divisions are experiencing severe cold as snowy winds blow directly from the Himalayas. Sagar and Rewa divisions are also significantly affected. In Bhopal division, Sehore, Raisen, Rajgarh and Vidisha are facing intense cold, with Rajgarh’s temperature dropping to 4 degrees.
| City | Minimum Temperature (°C) |
|---|---|
| Mandsaur | 2.5 |
| Kalyanpur | 2.8 |
| Shajapur | 3.2 |
| Rewa | 3.2 |
| Rajgarh | 3.5 |
| Pachmarhi | 3.8 |
| Naugaon | 4.2 |
| Umria | 4.5 |
| Bhopal | 4.8 |
| Khajuraho | 4.8 |
| Malajkhand | 5.1 |
| Raisen | 5.6 |
| Shivpuri | 6.0 |
| Mandla | 6.0 |
| Gwalior | 6.2 |
| Datia | 6.3 |
| Indore | 6.6 |
| Damoh | 6.8 |
Residents are advised to take precautions against the severe cold and avoid unnecessary travel during early morning hours when fog is densest.
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