Madhya Pradesh is preparing for a significant weather shift as rain alerts have been issued across the state for January 31 and February 1-2. The India Meteorological Department in Bhopal has warned that a strong western disturbance will bring widespread precipitation to most regions, marking the return of the rainy season.
On Friday morning, dense fog covered approximately half of Madhya Pradesh, affecting 24 districts across seven divisions. The meteorological department reported that visibility dropped significantly in areas including Bhopal, Gwalior, Chambal, Sagar, Jabalpur, Rewa, and Shahdol divisions.
Fog Disrupts Daily Life
The thick fog caused considerable disruption to daily activities across the state. Gwalior and Datia experienced the densest fog conditions, with visibility severely reduced in more than 20 districts. In many areas, the sun remained obscured even past 10 AM, creating challenging conditions for commuters and residents.
Major cities including Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Sagar, Rajgarh, Ratlam, Khajuraho, and Satna reported moderate to dense fog conditions. The phenomenon affected road visibility and increased difficulties for people going about their morning routines.
Meteorologist Arun Sharma explained that the western disturbance would trigger the rainy spell before the fog conditions subside. The weather system is expected to bring sustained precipitation across different regions over three consecutive days.
The state has experienced notable temperature variations. Mandsaur recorded temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius, while Pachmarhi, the only hill station in Madhya Pradesh, emerged as the second coldest location. Night temperatures have dropped across multiple cities, bringing relief from earlier warm conditions.
Daytime temperatures also showed a declining trend. Gwalior registered the lowest maximum temperature at 19.6 degrees Celsius on Thursday. Cold winds continued throughout the day, particularly affecting the Gwalior-Chambal region, where the impact was most pronounced.
The weather department attributes these temperature changes to heavy snowfall and rain in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu-Kashmir. These conditions have generated jet stream winds traveling at approximately 241 kilometers per hour at an altitude of 12.6 kilometers above sea level, with effects rippling into Madhya Pradesh.
Expanding Rain Coverage
The rain alerts cover an expanding geographic area over the three-day period. Initial forecasts predict rainfall in 13 districts on January 31, primarily in the Gwalior-Chambal belt and parts of central MP. The coverage expands to 24 districts on February 1, including major urban centers.
By February 2, the rain system is expected to affect nearly all major cities including Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, and Jabalpur, along with 36 other districts spanning most of the state.
Weather officials warn that temperatures will drop further when the western disturbance intensifies. Both day and night temperatures are expected to decline as the system passes through the region.
| City | Temperature (ยฐC) | Weather Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Bhopal | 15-20 | Fog, rain expected Feb 1-2 |
| Indore | 16-21 | Light fog, rain on Feb 2 |
| Gwalior | 10-19 | Dense fog, rain from Jan 31 |
| Jabalpur | 12-22 | Moderate fog, rain on Feb 2 |
| Mandsaur | 4-18 | Very cold, possible rain Feb 1 |
| Pachmarhi | 6-16 | Cold conditions, rain likely |
Residents across Madhya Pradesh should prepare for changing weather conditions and possible disruptions to travel and outdoor activities over the coming days.
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