Residents of Madhya Pradesh's capital are bracing for more icy mornings as Bhopal's night temperature plunged below the five-degree mark for the second day in a row. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a cold wave warning for Bhopal and several other districts across the state, indicating that the bitter chill will persist over the coming days.
Mercury Plummets Across the State
On Sunday, Bhopal recorded a maximum day temperature of 26.3 degrees Celsius, which was a degree above normal. However, as night fell, the city shivered at a mere 4.8 degrees Celsius, a significant six degrees below the usual minimum. This followed Saturday's night temperature of 4.6 degrees Celsius. The chill was even more severe in other parts of the state, with Mandsaur recording a low of 2.5 degrees Celsius.
Widespread Fog and Cold Wave Conditions
The cold wave was officially observed in multiple districts including Bhopal, Rajgarh, Sehore, Girvar (Shajapur), Rewa, Kalyanpur (Shahdol), Mandsaur, and Pachmarhi. Simultaneously, a thick blanket of fog engulfed several areas, severely reducing visibility. The districts affected by fog included:
- Gwalior
- Khajuraho
- Naogaon (Chhatarpur)
- Sidhi
- Rewa
- Satna
- Datia
Detailed Forecast and Warnings
For Monday, the meteorological department forecast a clear sky with morning haze for Bhopal. The day temperature is expected to be around 25 degrees Celsius, with the night temperature hovering near 5 degrees Celsius. The average wind speed is predicted to be twelve kilometers per hour.
The IMD's state-wide warning is more extensive. A cold wave warning has been issued for Bhopal, Vidisha, Sehore, Rajgarh, Indore, Shajapur, Anuppur, Shahdol, and Seoni. Separate fog warnings are in place for Gwalior, Datia, Bhind, Singrauli, Sidhi, Satna, Panna, and Chhatarpur. The situation is particularly severe in Rewa and Mauganj, which are under a combined warning for dense fog and cold wave. Districts like Tikamgarh, Niwari, and Maihar have received a moderate fog warning.
The consecutive days of extreme cold and reduced visibility due to fog are disrupting daily life and travel, with authorities advising citizens to take necessary precautions against the harsh weather conditions.
