MADHYA Pradesh is currently witnessing widespread cold conditions in the day, with a sharp dip in temperatures and dense fog continuing to disrupt normal life across many districts. Observations show that the lowest minimum temperature in the State was recorded at 3.8°C in Kalyanpur, Shahdol district, while several other locations reported minimum temperatures between 5°C to 6°C, underlining the severity of the cold. Cold conditions dominated large parts of the State, including the capital city.

 

Cold wave conditions prevailed in Shahdol district, while severe cold day conditions were reported from Rajgarh and Vidisha districts. In addition, cold day conditions were observed in Bhopal, Sehore, Khandwa, Ratlam, Ujjain, Tikamgarh and Datia, indicating that much of the state is under the grip of prolonged daytime cold. The India Meteorological Department attributed these persistent cold day conditions, along with fog, to the influence of a fresh western disturbance in the form of a cyclonic circulation over north Pakistan, combined with a strong subtropical westerly jet stream active at higher altitudes over northwest India.

 

These weather systems are maintaining the flow of cold northerly winds and moisture over the region, resulting in suppressed daytime temperatures and foggy conditions. According to the IMD, no significant change in weather is expected over the next 24 hours, suggesting that cold day conditions are likely to continue. Maximum temperatures fell sharply by around 3°C in Bhopal division, while a rise was recorded in Rewa and Shahdol divisions.

 

Despite this, daytime temperatures remained significantly below normal in most parts of the State. Maximum temperatures were markedly below normal by over 5°C in Ujjain division, appreciably below normal in Bhopal, Chambal and Sagar divisions, and below normal in Indore, Gwalior, Rewa and Shahdol divisions. The highest maximum temperature in the State was 26.5°C at Chhindwara, while the lowest maximum temperature was recorded at Girvar in Shajapur district at 14.9°C, highlighting the sharp contrast across regions.

 

Night temperatures also dropped further. Minimum temperatures fell by 2 to 4°C in Bhopal, Rewa, Jabalpur, Shahdol and Sagar divisions and remained below normal in Bhopal and Jabalpur divisions. Apart from Kalyanpur (3.8°C), other notably cold places included Datia (4.4°C), Rajgarh and Khajuraho (5.4°C), Morena and Malanjkhand (5.5°C), and Umaria (5.7°C).

 

On the warmer side, minimum temperatures hovered around 11°C in Sidhi and Narmadapuram. Adding to the discomfort, fog conditions remained severe across large parts of the state. Very dense fog was reported in Gwalior, Jabalpur and Chhatarpur (Khajuraho) districts, while dense fog affected Bhopal and Indore. Several districts including Damoh, Sagar, Guna, Narmadapuram and Raisen witnessed moderate fog.

 

In Bhopal, visibility remained poor, falling in the 50 to 200 metre range, affecting road and rail movement during morning hours. For Bhopal and surrounding areas, the forecast till Tuesday morning suggests mainly clear skies with moderate to dense fog during morning hours, light winds and temperatures hovering around 18°C during the day and 7°C at night. The weather department has advised people to remain cautious, especially during early morning and late night hours, as dense fog may significantly reduce visibility and disrupt travel.