A severe cold weather has tightened its grip across Madhya Pradesh, with temperatures plummeting to near-freezing levels in several districts. Rajgarh emerged as the coldest city in the state on Friday night, recording a frigid 3.8 degrees Celsius as residents huddled around bonfires and stayed indoors to escape the biting cold.
State Capital Colder Than Hill Stations
The state capital Bhopal recorded an unexpectedly low temperature of 4.6 degrees Celsius in the Naugaon area, making it colder than the traditional hill station of Pachmarhi, which registered 4.8 degrees. Umaria district also shivered at 4.7 degrees, marking one of the coldest nights of the season across the state.
Major cities across Madhya Pradesh experienced significantly low temperatures. Indore recorded 6.2 degrees Celsius, while Gwalior saw mercury drop to 6.7 degrees. Ujjain registered 7.3 degrees and Jabalpur recorded 7.4 degrees. Approximately 25 cities, including Khajuraho, Rewa, Raisen, Shivpuri, Damoh, Mandla, Datia, Satna, Guna, Sheopur, Dhar, and Ratlam, recorded temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius.
Dense fog has compounded the cold wave’s impact, affecting more than 16 districts across the state. The thick fog has severely disrupted railway services, with multiple trains arriving late at their destinations. Trains traveling from Delhi to Bhopal, Indore, and Ujjain experienced significant delays from their scheduled times.
In Sehore, the fog became so dense that visibility dropped to barely 30 meters. The district recorded a minimum temperature of 5 degrees Celsius, creating hazardous travel conditions throughout the morning hours.
Dindouri district faced even more challenging conditions, with visibility reduced to approximately 10 meters due to heavy fog. The minimum temperature there reached 6 degrees Celsius. Vehicles crawled along roads with headlights on, moving at cautious speeds through the grey blanket of fog.
Daily Life Disrupted Across Districts
The cold wave has visibly affected daily life across the state. In Akodia, a town in Shajapur district, the minimum temperature dropped to 5.7 degrees Celsius, marking the coldest night of the season. Roads remained deserted since morning as people stayed indoors due to the bitter cold and dense fog.
In Damoh, where temperatures fell to 7.5 degrees Celsius, very few people ventured out in the morning. Passengers at railway stations and bus stands warmed themselves around fires to avoid the piercing cold.
Despite the harsh conditions, life continues with remarkable resilience in some areas. In Narmadapuram, where temperatures in Pachmarhi hill station dropped to 3 degrees, young people preparing for police and army recruitment continued their morning practice sessions. Many residents were seen doing morning walks and exercising at open gyms, refusing to let the cold disrupt their routines.
In an unusual sight amid the freezing temperatures, players were spotted rehearsing water sports in Bhopal’s small pond, demonstrating the dedication of athletes training despite the weather.
Animals and Agriculture Affected
The cold has affected not just humans but animals as well. In Chhatarpur, where temperatures fell to 5 degrees, animals were seen standing near fires to warm themselves, seeking relief from the snowy winds blowing down from the Himalayas.
Agricultural areas have also felt the cold’s impact. In Jhabua district, where the minimum temperature reached 10.4 degrees Celsius, dew accumulated heavily on crops in the fields. Farmers reported similar conditions across several districts.
Weather forecasters predict the cold wave will intensify until December 30. In Mandu, authorities expect light rain and fog in the coming days as cold winds continue to strengthen. Night temperatures are forecast to keep falling across the region, prompting officials to warn residents to take necessary precautions and wear warm clothing when venturing outdoors.
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