A thick blanket of fog has descended upon northern Madhya Pradesh, reducing visibility to less than 50 meters in approximately 20 districts and causing widespread disruptions to rail and air travel.
The fog has heavily affected the Gwalior-Chambal, Rewa, Sagar, Jabalpur, and Shahdol divisions. The weather department has issued orange and yellow alerts as the situation enters its third consecutive day.
Travel Chaos Continues
Multiple trains traveling from Delhi to Bhopal and Indore are running significantly behind schedule. The Shatabdi, Malwa, Jhelum, Karnataka, Sachkhand, Chhattisgarh, Kolhapur-Mangla Lakshadweep Express, and Punjab Mail have been delayed by anywhere from 30 minutes to eight hours.
Flights from Indore and Bhopal to Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, and Bengaluru are also facing delays and cancellations.
Mercury Plummets Across the State
The cold wave has intensified across Madhya Pradesh, with temperatures dropping dramatically. On the night of December 18-19, Bhopal recorded 6.4 degrees Celsius while Gwalior registered 11.4 degrees.
Shivpuri emerged as the coldest city in the state, with the mercury touching 4 degrees Celsius. Indore recorded 4.1 degrees, Ujjain 7.2 degrees, and Jabalpur 8.6 degrees.
“The effect of fog is the most during the late night and morning,” said meteorologist Arun Sharma, who also issued guidelines for safe travel during this period.
Record-Breaking Cold Spell
This winter has broken records set decades ago. In November, Bhopal experienced a cold wave for 15 consecutive days, the coldest period since 1931. On November 17, the temperature dropped to 5.2 degrees, surpassing the previous record of 6.1 degrees set on November 30, 1941.
In Indore, the mercury has fallen to levels not seen in 25 years.
Western Disturbance and Jet Stream Impact
The cold snap is being driven by a western disturbance affecting the western Himalayan region. When this system retreats, its effects will intensify in Madhya Pradesh.
A jet stream, a strong wind blowing at approximately 12 kilometers above ground level, is also contributing to the severe cold. The jet stream is currently flowing at 185 kilometers per hour and has reached speeds of up to 222 kilometers per hour in some areas.
Weather experts explain that when cold winds from northern plains combine with snowy winds from hilly areas, temperatures plummet sharply. The western disturbance system, combined with the jet stream, has doubled the intensity of the cold this season.
Safety Guidelines Issued
The weather department has advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel due to low visibility. Those who must drive should use fog lamps and beam headlights and maintain slow speeds.
Health authorities recommend covering the head, neck, fingers, and toes to maintain body warmth. People are advised to eat fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C and consult doctors if they develop flu, cold, or cough symptoms.
Those exercising outdoors should wear masks, as exposure to particles and pollutants in fog can reduce lung function and cause breathing difficulties.
Farmers have been warned to watch for excessive moisture and potential crop diseases caused by prolonged fog conditions. Special attention is needed for tomato, chili, cauliflower, and mustard crops.
Alert Zones
The weather department has issued an orange alert for dense fog in Gwalior, Bhind, Morena, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna, Rewa, Mauganj, Sidhi, and Singrauli. A yellow alert has been issued for Jabalpur, Damoh, Katni, Maihar, Umaria, and Shahdol.
Fog is expected to persist until 10 am daily in these areas.
Temperature Data Across Major Cities
| City | Night Temperature (°C) | Day Temperature (°C) | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shivpuri | 4.0 | Not specified | Coldest in state |
| Indore | 4.1 | 27.0 | Dense fog |
| Shajapur | 4.1 | Not specified | Severe cold |
| Rajgarh | 5.0 | Not specified | Intense cold |
| Mandsaur | 5.4 | Not specified | Cold winds |
| Pachmarhi | 5.6 | Not specified | Cold wave |
| Bhopal | 6.4 | 25.5 | Fog, cold winds |
| Malajkhand | 6.8 | 20.7 | Coldest daytime |
| Raisen | 7.4 | Not specified | Strong cold |
| Mandla | 7.7 | 23.5 | Fog effect |
| Betul | 7.8 | Not specified | Cold conditions |
| Umaria | 7.8 | 21.9 | Yellow alert |
| Ujjain | 7.2 | 28.5 | Cold wave |
| Jabalpur | 8.6 | 21.3 | Yellow alert |
| Sagar | 9.0 | Not specified | Dense fog |
| Gwalior | 11.4 | 23.6 | Orange alert |
| Rewa | Not specified | 20.8 | Orange alert |
| Satna | Not specified | 22.2 | Dense fog |
All districts of Gwalior, Chambal, and Ujjain divisions are experiencing severe cold as snowy winds arrive directly from the north. The Sagar and Rewa divisions continue to face harsh conditions, with fog expected to persist through the weekend.
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