Bhopal woke up to an unusual winter spectacle on Monday as a thick blanket of fog enveloped the city for the first time this season. This marked a significant shift from the previous days, where despite a severe cold spell, the capital of Madhya Pradesh had largely escaped the dense fog conditions plaguing North India.
Visibility Drops as Fog Blankets the City
While morning haze in parts of the city had been common, it typically dissipated quickly with sunrise. However, Monday presented a different scenario. A persistent and dense layer of fog significantly reduced visibility across several locations, with reports indicating it dropped to between 500 and 1,000 metres. This phenomenon directly impacted the movement of commuters during the early hours.
Cold Wave Tightens Its Grip
The fog coincided with the continuation of intense cold wave conditions. The minimum temperature recorded on Monday night was a chilly 5.8 degrees Celsius. This reading made Bhopal the second coldest place in the state, only behind the hill station of Pachmarhi, which recorded a low of 5.4°C.
The cold also suppressed the daytime maximum temperature. Monday's high was recorded at 25°C, which is 2.2 degrees below Sunday's maximum of 27.2°C. This drop indicates that the prevailing chill is likely to maintain its hold over the city in the near future.
Met Department Issues Fog Warnings
The Regional Meteorological Department has forecast that Bhopal will remain under the influence of fog for the next few days. They have issued a warning for moderate fog at some places within the city, which will continue to cause reduced visibility during the early mornings.
The alert extends to several other districts across Madhya Pradesh. A mild fog warning has been issued for:
- Vidisha
- Singrauli
- Shivpuri
- Shahdol
- Umaria
- Katni
- Jabalpur
- Sagar
Furthermore, forecasters have warned of very dense fog at isolated places in Gwalior, Bhind, Morena, Sidhi, Rewa, Satna, and Chhatarpur districts. Residents and travelers in these regions are advised to exercise caution.
