Madhya Pradesh is experiencing a fresh wave of severe cold weather in February, with northern regions bearing the brunt of plummeting temperatures. On Thursday night, minimum temperatures dropped below 10 degrees Celsius in 11 cities across the state, including Gwalior and Khajuraho. Katni, Shahdol, and Chhatarpur emerged as the coldest areas.
Cold Winds Sweep Across the State
Cold winds swept through the region on Friday, and the weather department has warned that Saturday will bring similar conditions. The sudden temperature drop follows a period of hail and dense fog caused by western disturbance and cyclonic systems that affected the state earlier.
According to the meteorological department, the winter weather intensified as the effects of these systems decreased over the last two days. The state had experienced hail and thick fog due to the earlier disturbances, but now clear skies have allowed temperatures to fall sharply.
Katni recorded the state’s lowest temperature at 5.6 degrees Celsius during Thursday-Friday night. Kalyanpur-Khajuraho in Shahdol registered 6.6 degrees, while Rewa saw 7 degrees. Other cities experiencing severe cold included Rajgarh-Umaria at 8 degrees, Shajapur at 8.1 degrees, and Naugaon-Pachmarhi at 8.6 degrees.
Satna measured 9.2 degrees, Damoh recorded 9.5 degrees, and both Mandla and Sidhi saw 9.8 degrees. The widespread cold has affected daily life across these regions, with residents wrapping up in extra layers to combat the freezing conditions.
Major Cities Face Temperature Drop
Among the five major cities, Gwalior shivered at 8.7 degrees Celsius. Bhopal recorded 10.2 degrees, Indore measured 10.9 degrees, Jabalpur saw 11.6 degrees, and Ujjain registered 12.2 degrees. The meteorological department confirmed that mercury fell below 10 degrees in 11 cities statewide.
Light to moderate fog blanketed parts of the state on Saturday morning. The Gwalior-Chambal region, along with districts in Sagar, Rewa, and Ujjain divisions, experienced reduced visibility due to the fog. Morning commuters faced challenges as the fog created hazardous driving conditions.
The weather department has issued forecasts for the coming days. On February 8, light fog is expected to persist with no rain alert, though cold conditions will intensify. February 9 will see light to moderate fog in several districts, again with no precipitation expected.
A new western disturbance has become active in the western Himalayan region from February 8. Its effects are expected to reach Madhya Pradesh soon. However, the state will remain dry for the next four days, with no rain or hail forecast until February 10.
January Brought Severe Weather Damage
January brought severe weather challenges to Madhya Pradesh. The state experienced cold, fog, hail, and rain throughout the month. In the final week, more than half the state received rainfall. Districts in Ujjain and Gwalior-Chambal divisions also witnessed hailstorms that destroyed wheat, gram, and mustard crops.
The government has initiated surveys to assess crop damage and prepare loss reports. Farmers have expressed concerns about the financial impact of the crop losses. Night temperatures in major cities including Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Gwalior, and Jabalpur dropped significantly during January.
The meteorological department had predicted western disturbance impacts during the first week of February, with rain expected for four days initially. Fresh western disturbance activity was anticipated on February 2 and 5, potentially bringing another cold wave after the systems passed.
Residents across Madhya Pradesh are advised to take precautions against the cold. The weather department continues to monitor conditions closely as the state navigates this extended period of winter weather.
| City | Temperature (°C) | Weather Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Katni | 5.6 | Severe cold, light fog |
| Shahdol | 6.6 | Severe cold, light fog |
| Rewa | 7.0 | Cold conditions continuing |
| Gwalior | 8.7 | Cold with moderate fog |
| Bhopal | 10.2 | Cold, light fog expected |
| Indore | 10.9 | Mild cold, clear skies |
| Jabalpur | 11.6 | Cold conditions |
| Ujjain | 12.2 | Moderate fog likely |
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