Freezing cold conditions prevailed in Bhopal as the mercury dipped by 4°C, recording a low of 3.8°C on Friday night. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a severe cold wave warning for the state capital, cautioning of further deterioration in weather conditions.
The intense cold is expected to have a significant impact on both residents and agriculture, with frost and cold day conditions forecasted across several districts. Major regions likely to be severely affected include Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, and Shajapur. The lowest temperature in the state was recorded at Kalyanpur (Shahdol), where the mercury dropped to a freezing 1.5°C. Other low temperatures included Pachmarhi (2.0°C), Girvar in Shajapur (2.5°C), Umaria (2.8°C), and Mandla (3°C).
In stark contrast, the warmest nights in the state were observed in Chitrakoot (13.2°C), Kannod (11.2°C), Seoni (9.0°C), Indore (8.9°C), and Sagar (8.5°C). Many regions that previously recorded sub-10°C temperatures have now dropped to sub-5°C, making conditions unbearably cold.
Weather scientists predict that the cold wave will persist for the next three to four days, with temperatures taking longer to return to normal. Continuous snowfall in northern India has intensified the effects of icy winds sweeping through Madhya Pradesh, leaving the state in the grip of severe cold for the past five days. This phase is expected to last until December 16, after which some relief is anticipated.
Cold winds are likely to affect Neemuch, Mandsaur, Dhar, Shajapur, Rajgarh, Sagar, Seoni, Jabalpur, Katni, Shahdol, Chhatarpur, Panna, Tikamgarh, and Niwari. Severe cold day conditions are expected in Sehore, Raisen, and Vidisha, while Narsinghpur will also remain under the influence of a cold day.
Friday night in Bhopal was reported as the second coldest night in a decade. The drop in temperature is attributed to the incursion of cold winds caused by heavy snowfall in northern India. Subtropical jet stream winds, blowing at a speed of 296 km/h at an altitude of 12.6 km in West-North India, have further exacerbated the chill. The IMD noted that the effect of cold will intensify further if these winds descend to lower altitudes.
A Western Disturbance active in northern India has also contributed to melting snow, which, in turn, has caused a dip in temperatures. Over the last 24 hours, the weather remained dry across all divisions of the state, with cold wave conditions prevailing in Rajgarh, Ratlam, Umaria, Mandla, Seoni, Guna, Narmadapuram, Badwani, Marukheda (Neemuch), Amarkantak (Anuppur), Piprasama (Shivpuri), and Singrauli.
Severe cold wave conditions were reported in Bhopal, Raisen, Sehore, Girvar (Shajapur), Kalyanpur (Shahdol), and Jabalpur. Cold day conditions were observed in Rajgarh, Dhar, Indore, Sehore, Girvar (Shajapur), Ujjain, Sidhi, Narsinghpur, Betul, and Neemuch.
Day temperatures fell significantly below normal in districts of Bhopal, Narmadapuram, and Ujjain divisions and were slightly below normal in Indore, Gwalior, Rewa, Jabalpur, Shahdol, and Sagar divisions. Night temperatures also dropped significantly below normal in Bhopal, Indore, Narmadapuram, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Shahdol, and Sagar divisions. Residents are advised to take necessary precautions as the cold wave is likely to continue for the next few days, intensifying the already harsh weather conditions.
