Residents of Madhya Pradesh bundled up against a severe cold spell on Sunday, with night temperatures plunging significantly below normal across the state. The capital city Bhopal experienced a chilly night at 6.8 degrees Celsius, while Kalyanpur in Shahdol district recorded a biting minimum of 3.4 degrees Celsius.
Statewide Mercury Plunge and Fog Warnings
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that temperatures are expected to stay below normal. Alongside the cold, a significant weather hazard emerged in the form of dense fog. Very dense fog was reported in several districts including Rewa, Satna, Gwalior, and Khajuraho in Chhatarpur. Shallow fog affected areas like Datia, Naogaon in Chhatarpur, and Sidhi.
In Bhopal, the day temperature on Sunday was 25.6 degrees Celsius, which is a degree below the normal mark. The night temperature of 6.8 degrees Celsius was a substantial four degrees lower than usual. The IMD has forecast a partly cloudy sky for Bhopal on Monday, with day and night temperatures expected around 26 and 8 degrees Celsius respectively. The average wind speed is predicted to be around ten kilometers per hour.
District-Wise Alerts for Monday
The meteorological department has issued specific warnings for various districts across Madhya Pradesh for Monday:
- Dense Fog & Cold Day Warning: Issued for Gwalior district.
- Dense Fog Warning: In effect for Datia, Bhind, Singrauli, Sidhi, Rewa, Mauganj, Satna, Panna, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, and Niwari.
- Moderate Fog Warning: Covers Ashoknagar, Shivpuri, Shahdol, Umaria, Katni, Jabalpur, Damoh, Sagar, and Maihar.
- Cold Day Warning: Declared for Narsinghpur.
- Cold Wave Warning: Issued specifically for Seoni district.
The IMD stated that dry weather will prevail across the state. The current cold conditions are influenced by a western disturbance, which is present as a trough in the middle and upper tropospheric westerlies. Its axis is located at about 5.8 km above mean sea level, roughly along longitude 62 degrees east to the north of latitude 27 degrees north.
Staying Safe in the Cold and Fog
With temperatures expected to remain low and fog impacting visibility, authorities advise citizens to take necessary precautions. Travelers, especially those using roadways in the affected districts, should exercise extreme caution due to reduced visibility. The public is also urged to keep warm and protect vulnerable populations, including the elderly and children, from the harsh cold wave conditions. The IMD continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as the western disturbance evolves.
