A SHARP spell of cold wave conditions continued across Madhya Pradesh during the past 24 hours, with the impact of cold wave reported from Bhopal, Raisen, Rajgarh, Sehore, Shajapur and Shahdol districts, while Indore district experienced a severe cold wave. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the weather remained dry in all divisions of the state. Both maximum and minimum temperatures showed no significant change over the last 24 hours, but night temperatures dipped well below normal in several parts.

 

Minimum temperatures were markedly below normal by 5.1°C in the districts of Bhopal division, appreciably below normal by 3.3°C to 3.4°C in Indore and Ujjain divisions, and below normal by 1.6°C to 2.9°C in the districts of Narmadapuram, Chambal, Rewa, Jabalpur, Shahdol and Sagar divisions. Maximum temperatures remained normal in most parts, though they were 1.7°C below normal in districts of Indore and Ujjain divisions. Kalyanpur in Shahdol district recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the state at 3.8°C, followed by Indore at 4.5°C, Pachmarhi (Narmadapuram) at 4.8°C, Rajgarh at 5.0°C and Girvar (Shajapur) at 5.2°C.

 

The highest minimum temperatures were reported from Agar at 13.9°C, Kannod (Dewas) at 12.5°C, Prithvipur (Niwari) at 11.8°C, Sagar at 11.4°C, and Dhar and Narmadapuram at 11.2°C. Day temperatures also showed a wide range across districts. The lowest maximum temperature of 22.7°C was recorded in Malanjkhand (Balaghat), followed by Amarkantak (Anuppur) at 23.6°C, Chitrakoot (Satna) at 24.1°C, and Narsinghpur and Betul at 25.0°C. Girvar (Shajapur) and Rewa reported 25.5°C as their maximum. On the other hand, Khandwa was the warmest with 30.1°C, followed by Ujjain at 29.5°C, Sagar at 29.4°C, Gwalior at 29.3°C, and Narmadapuram at 29.0°C. No rainfall was recorded anywhere in the state.

 

Wind speeds across the state remained light, averaging between 8 to 10 kmph. Synoptic conditions indicate that a strong subtropical westerly jet stream, with core winds reaching up to 204 kmph at around 12.6 km above mean sea level, is prevailing over Northeast India. A fresh but weak western disturbance is expected to influence the Western Himalayan region from December 13, though its impact on Madhya Pradesh is likely to be minimal. In Bhopal, the weather remained dry with a clear sky and light haze in the morning. The city recorded a maximum temperature of 26.4°C, which was 1.5°C below normal, and a minimum temperature of 6.6°C, nearly 5.6°C below normal, indicating a notable night chill.

 

Morning humidity was 68 percent, while the evening humidity on Wednesday stood at 42 percent. No rainfall was recorded in the capital either. The IMD has issued a cold wave warning for isolated places in Bhopal, Raisen, Sehore, Rajgarh, Indore, Shajapur and Shahdol districts. Residents have been advised to stay protected from the biting cold, monitor early signs of frostbite and hypothermia, cover exposed body parts, wear adequate warm clothing and avoid unnecessary exposure to cold winds. The department also urged farmers to safeguard livestock, use warm bedding, manage crop residue responsibly, provide light irrigation to crops as needed, and monitor mustard, chickpea and pea crops for early signs of pest or disease.

 

The forecast for Bhopal and its surrounding areas indicates clear skies with morning haze, with temperatures likely to hover around 26°C (maximum) and 7°C (minimum) till Friday morning. The IMD has advised people to stay updated through official weather bulletins.