Residents across Madhya Pradesh woke up to biting cold weather and thick fog on Monday morning, with Datia emerging as the coldest place in the state at 5.4 degrees Celsius. The harsh winter conditions have gripped the northern districts, causing widespread disruption to daily life and train schedules.
Dense fog blanketed the Gwalior-Chambal region, reducing visibility dramatically and affecting both road and rail traffic. The weather department reported visibility between 500 to 1000 meters in several areas, forcing commuters to navigate carefully through the hazy conditions.
Weather in Madhya Pradesh
Among the major cities, Gwalior recorded the lowest temperature at 5.6 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest urban center in the state. Other cities experienced similarly frigid conditions, with Bhopal registering 9 degrees, Indore 9.6 degrees, Ujjain 9.4 degrees, and Jabalpur 9.8 degrees Celsius.
The cold wave extended across most districts, with nighttime temperatures falling below 10 degrees Celsius in more than 20 locations. Rajgarh and Pachmarhi both recorded 5.6 degrees, while Mandla registered 5.9 degrees. Khajuraho experienced 6.5 degrees, and Naugaon, Shivpuri, and Rewa all recorded 7 degrees Celsius.
Train Services Face Massive Delays
Rail passengers faced significant delays as the fog disrupted train operations throughout the morning. Trains traveling from Delhi bore the brunt of the disruption, with delays ranging from minutes to several hours. The Sachkhand Express suffered the worst impact, arriving approximately nine hours behind schedule.
The Jhelum Express ran two and a half hours late, while the Malwa Express, Punjab Mail, and Karnataka Express each faced delays of about one hour and twenty minutes. Even the usually punctual Shatabdi Express arrived twenty minutes late. These disruptions have been ongoing for the past fifteen days, affecting thousands of passengers.
Visibility conditions varied across different regions of the state. The worst affected areas included Ratlam, Khajuraho, and Naugaon, where visibility dropped to between 500 and 1000 meters. Datia, Gwalior, Ujjain, Rewa, Satna, and Sidhi experienced slightly better conditions with visibility exceeding one kilometer. Bhopal, Indore, and Jabalpur recorded visibility between two and four kilometers.
The reduced visibility has made road travel particularly hazardous during early morning hours, prompting authorities to advise caution for commuters.
Winter Breaks Multiple Records
This winter season has proven particularly severe for Madhya Pradesh. November temperatures broke an 84-year record, followed by December shattering a 25-year record. January continues this trend, breaking Bhopal’s 10-year cold record. Meteorologists attribute this unusual cold spell to strong winds flowing from North India, which typically intensify during December and January.
Weather experts explained that these two months traditionally experience the harshest cold in the region, similar to how July and August account for 60 percent of monsoon rainfall. The Western Disturbance’s activation during January has also contributed to the severe conditions, occasionally bringing rainfall alongside the cold temperatures.
The meteorological department offers little hope for immediate relief. Forecasters predict that cold nights and morning fog will continue in the coming days, particularly affecting the northern parts of the state. Residents should prepare for extended periods of cold weather and reduced visibility during early morning hours.
Advisory for Residents
Authorities advise residents to dress warmly and avoid unnecessary travel during early morning hours when fog remains thickest. Travelers should check train schedules before departing and allow extra time for journeys. As Madhya Pradesh endures this record-breaking winter, communities across the state brace themselves for more cold days ahead.
| City | Temperature (°C) | Weather Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Datia | 5.4 | Cold with fog, continued low temperatures expected |
| Gwalior | 5.6 | Dense fog, cold conditions persisting |
| Rajgarh | 5.6 | Cold wave continues, foggy mornings |
| Pachmarhi | 5.6 | Severe cold at hill station, below 10°C nights |
| Mandla | 5.9 | Cold temperatures, fog likely |
| Khajuraho | 6.5 | Reduced visibility, cold nights ahead |
| Naugaon | 7.0 | Fog affecting visibility, cold persists |
| Shivpuri | 7.0 | Cold conditions, morning fog expected |
| Rewa | 7.0 | Below 10°C temperatures continuing |
| Bhopal | 9.0 | Cold nights, 2-4 km visibility |
| Ujjain | 9.4 | Fog and cold weather persisting |
| Indore | 9.6 | Cold conditions, limited visibility |
| Jabalpur | 9.8 | Below 10°C nights, fog in mornings |
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