A severe cold weather combined with dense fog has gripped Madhya Pradesh, sending night temperatures plummeting below 3 degrees Celsius across multiple districts. Kalyanpur in Shahdol district recorded the state’s lowest temperature at 2.7 degrees Celsius on Tuesday night, while thick fog blanketing half the state has caused significant disruption to rail traffic and daily life.
More than a dozen trains traveling from Delhi to Madhya Pradesh face daily delays ranging from two to six hours due to poor visibility caused by heavy fog conditions. The combination of bone-chilling temperatures and fog has brought normal life to a near standstill in several districts.
According to the meteorological department, residents should brace for even harsher weather conditions in the coming days. A western disturbance currently active over the Himalayas will intensify the cold wave when it moves forward. The system will cause snow to melt in the mountains, increasing the speed of icy winds sweeping across the plains.
Snow-Like Frost Forms Across Districts
In an unusual weather phenomenon, dew drops on plants froze overnight in Sehore, Chhindwara, and Morena districts, forming a snow-like layer of frost. This rare occurrence highlights the severity of the current cold spell affecting the region.
Dense fog covered the northern part of the state on Wednesday morning, affecting Gwalior, Shivpuri, Sheopur, Morena, Bhind, Datia, Niwari, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Panna, Satna, Rewa, Mauganj, Sidhi, Singrauli, Maihar, Shahdol, Umaria, and Anuppur districts. Moderate fog also appeared in several other areas including Bhopal, Indore, Raisen, Shajapur, Rajgarh, Sehore, and Dewas.
Cold wave conditions persisted in Umaria and Shahdol districts throughout Wednesday, while Bhopal experienced cold winds during daytime hours.
Cold Day Conditions Persist Across State
The frigid weather has proven relentless even during daylight hours. More than a dozen districts in the northeastern region, including Chhatarpur, recorded severely low daytime temperatures on Wednesday. Khajuraho registered the lowest maximum temperature at just 15.4 degrees Celsius, creating cold day conditions rarely seen in the region.
| City | Night Temperature (°C) | Day Temperature (°C) | Weather Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalyanpur | 2.7 | — | Coldest in state |
| Umaria | 3.9 | 23.5 | Cold wave |
| Rajgarh | 4.5 | — | Severe cold |
| Khajuraho | 4.5 | 15.4 | Cold day |
| Shivpuri | 5.0 | 22.0 | Severe cold |
| Rewa | 5.8 | 17.0 | Cold day |
| Pachmarhi | 6.2 | 20.0 | Severe cold |
| Mandla | 6.3 | — | Severe cold |
| Guna | 6.4 | 21.2 | Cold conditions |
| Raisen | 6.5 | — | Severe cold |
| Bhopal | 7.2 | 23.4 | Moderate fog |
| Jabalpur | 7.8 | 23.7 | Cold winds |
| Gwalior | 8.7 | 18.2 | Dense fog |
| Indore | 11.0 | — | Moderate fog |
| Ujjain | 10.5 | — | Cold conditions |
Naugaon recorded 15.5 degrees during the day, while Datia registered 16.1 degrees. Seventeen cities across the state saw maximum temperatures remaining below 24 degrees Celsius, indicating widespread cold day conditions.
Western Disturbance to Intensify Winter Chill
The meteorological department expects similar bitter cold conditions to persist throughout January. The current western disturbance over the Himalayas will move forward within two to three days, triggering an increase in cold intensity across the state. As mountain snow melts, icy winds will gain speed and sweep across Madhya Pradesh’s plains, bringing even lower temperatures.
Residents across affected districts have been advised to take necessary precautions against the severe cold and fog. The combination of low temperatures and dense fog continues to impact daily activities, transportation, and agriculture across the state. Commuters should plan for travel delays and poor visibility conditions in the coming days.
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