Madhya Pradesh is facing a chilling start to the new year as temperatures are expected to drop significantly. The Meteorological Department predicts a 3 to 5 degrees Celsius drop across the state, with dense fog in several regions. Weekend rainfall has intensified the cold, leaving many districts under a cold wave alert.
In the past 24 hours, scattered rainfall was reported in Indore, Ujjain, and Chambal divisions, with widespread showers in Bhopal, Narmadapuram, and Sagar. Meanwhile, foggy conditions are affecting visibility in Mandsaur, Neemuch, Gwalior, and Shivpuri.
Weekend rain caused a sharp dip in temperatures across Madhya Pradesh. In Bhopal, the Sunday maximum was 22.4°C, a one-degree drop, while the minimum settled at 16.8°C. Indore experienced a 4-degree drop in daytime temperature to 21.4°C, with a 2.5-degree fall at night to 15.4°C.
Similar patterns were observed in Dhar and Shivpuri, where daytime temperatures dropped by 6 and 4.8 degrees, respectively. In contrast, some eastern areas, including Jabalpur and Rewa, saw slight rises in day temperatures, with increases of up to 4 degrees.
The sudden drop in temperatures is due to strong cold winds after the weekend’s rain. Meteorologists forecast that the chill will persist, with minimum temperatures around 10–11°C on New Year’s Eve.
Monday morning brought dense fog and biting winds across the state, creating difficult conditions for early risers. Wind speeds of 8 km/h intensified the chill, causing visibility in Indore to drop to 1,100 meters. The cold snap is expected to peak by January 3, with temperatures in Gwalior, Chambal, and Ujjain divisions dropping further.
The weather shift has relieved farmers, with Rabi crops like wheat and gram benefiting from recent rains. However, urban residents face challenges with slippery roads and reduced visibility due to dense fog and dew.
The Meteorological Department warned of continuing cold wave conditions throughout January, especially in northern and central districts. While the rain has ceased in most areas, icy winds may further lower temperatures. As residents prepare for the New Year, many are bundling up and staying indoors to escape the cold.
Hotels and cultural venues are preparing for New Year’s Eve celebrations, but attendees should dress warmly as the chill persists. Madhya Pradesh is preparing for a cold start to 2025, with temperatures dropping by as much as 10 degrees in some regions over the past week.
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