A severe cold wave has swept across Madhya Pradesh in the last week of the year, with temperatures plummeting in large parts of the state. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), minimum temperatures in more than 29 cities have fallen below 10 degrees Celsius, intensifying the winter chill.
Icy winds from North India combined with active weather systems have led to a sharp drop in mercury. In the last 24 hours, Rajgarh and the hill station of Pachmarhi were the coldest places in the state, recording minimum temperatures between 4.1 and 4.2 degrees Celsius. Other areas experiencing near-cold wave conditions included Mandsaur at 4.6°C, Kalyanpur in Shahdol at 4.9°C, and Girwar in Shajapur at 5.4°C.
Major cities feel the bite
The state’s major urban centres are also experiencing a significant chill. The capital city, Bhopal, recorded a low of 7 degrees Celsius, while Gwalior shivered at 6.8 degrees. Temperatures in Indore, Ujjain, and Jabalpur hovered around 9 degrees Celsius.
Daytime temperatures have also seen a noticeable decline, especially in the Ujjain and Rewa divisions, where the maximum temperature was recorded at approximately 2.3 degrees below normal, adding to the discomfort.
Fog alert issued, transport affected
The IMD has issued a warning for dense to moderate fog, particularly in the Gwalior-Chambal and Rewa divisions. A moderate fog alert is in place for the districts of Bhind, Gwalior, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna, Rewa, Mauganj, Sidhi, and Singrauli. The reduced visibility is reportedly affecting road and rail traffic in these regions.
Why the sudden dip?
Meteorologists have pointed to several factors behind the severe cold. A sub-tropical jet stream is currently flowing over North-East India at a high speed of 232 km/h, introducing significant cold into the atmosphere. Additionally, a Western Disturbance is active as a trough over the Himalayan region.
However, an anti-cyclone system over Gujarat has altered the wind pattern in the Malwa region, including Indore, preventing as drastic a temperature drop as seen in other divisions. The IMD predicts that another Western Disturbance is likely to become active around December 30, which could change wind direction and lead to a slight increase in minimum temperatures, but the current cold spell is expected to continue for now.
