Madhya Pradesh faces a sharp drop in weather. The Meteorological Department has issued a cold wave alert for two days. Bhopal, Indore, Vidisha, Rajgarh, Shajapur and Sehore remain under warning. The impact is more visible at night, with frost on fields and fog near rivers.
On Tuesday night, the temperature in Bhopal touched 7.2 degrees Celsius. The lowest in the state was 4.7 degrees in Kalyanpur in Shahdol. Indore stayed below 10 degrees, along with 24 other cities.
Weather officials say the jet stream is moving at 222 kmph in the northern plains. Cold winds from the north have strengthened its effect across Madhya Pradesh.
Dew freezes on crops
Farmers in Raisen, Sehore and nearby regions woke up to frozen dew on fields. Many farmers spent the night outside to guard their produce. Their blankets were soaked with dew.
A farmer in Raisen said, “No bonfire was arranged by the administration. We sat in the open all night.” The temperature in the area was between 7 and 8 degrees.
Pachmarhi reached 5.2 degrees. Steam rose from lake water in the morning. In Sehore, dew froze on crops, forcing farmers to delay morning work.
Temple routines shifted due to cold
Barwani witnessed unusual religious adjustments. Priests changed temple schedules due to the harsh temperature.
Pandit Pankaj Shukla said, “The Lord is being anointed with lukewarm water. Hot items like jaggery-peanut and dry fruit laddus are offered in Rajbhog.”
Deities are now dressed in shawls, woollens and blankets. Quilts are used after the sleep aarti. Morning and evening aarti timings have also been revised.
Mandla district recorded 7 degrees. Fog formed thick layers over the river. In Kanha National Park, the Bhilwani zone dipped to 5.6 degrees.
Forest staff reported difficulty in patrolling. Morning safari visitors waited for sunshine to reduce the chill.
Daily life slows in Rajgarh and Chhindwara
Rajgarh dropped to 5.6 degrees. Locals sat near bonfires at crossings to stay warm.
Chhindwara remained below 10 degrees for four straight days. Residents covered their heads and hands before stepping out. Reporter Dev Thakur shared that people lit fires outside homes in the early morning.
Morena residents lit bonfires at dawn. Morning walkers were seen wrapped in jackets and woollen caps. The temperature there stood at 13 degrees.
Satna recorded 9 degrees. Cold winds from the northern belt pushed the chill further. Sunshine brought some daytime relief but nights remained crisp.
Akodia in Shajapur district may see a rise in day temperatures soon. Daytime readings could reach 30 degrees while nights may hover around 11 to 12 degrees.
Morning fog continues. Locals formed small groups near fires in rural pockets to stay warm.
What drives current cold pattern
Weather experts point to the jet stream and Western Disturbance. The jet stream carries icy winds from the higher altitudes. Snowfall in Kashmir, Himachal and the Himalayan belt makes the winds colder as they travel south.
Wind speed near 222 kmph has amplified the chill. North plains including Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi have also recorded a drop in minimum and maximum readings.
Key temperatures recorded
| City | Temperature (°C) | Weather |
|---|---|---|
| Bhopal | 7.2 | Cold wave, fog pockets |
| Indore | 6.1 | Crisp winds, morning chill |
| Gwalior | 9 | Clear yet cold |
| Ujjain | 9.5 | Wind chill in morning |
| Jabalpur | 8.5 | Fog in low areas |
| Rajgarh | 5.6 | Strong cold wave |
| Pachmarhi | 5.2 | Dew freeze, dense morning chill |
| Raisen | 8 | Fog near river belt |
| Chhindwara | 9.2 | Cold mornings for four days |
| Satna | 9 | Night chill, clear sky |
| Kanha (Bhilwani) | 5.6 | Park cold, fog near forest |
Support us to keep independent environmental journalism alive in India.
Keep Reading
Small Wild Cats in Big Trouble: India’s First National Report Released
After Tragedy, Families Face Delays in Tiger Attack Compensation
Stay connected with Ground Report for underreported environmental stories.
