Dense fog and cold weather impact 23 districts in Madhya Pradesh

The Gwalior, Chambal, and Rewa divisions of Madhya Pradesh are shrouded in dense fog, with visibility dropping to under 100 meters. The Meteorological Department expects this cold and foggy spell to last two more days, followed by some relief. However, cold conditions may return later this month.

The current cold wave has caused nighttime temperatures to drop below 10°C across the state. Mandla and Kalyanpur recorded the most frigid temperatures at 4.3°C. Bhopal, Gwalior, and Indore saw temperatures from 7°C to 11°C. Dense fog has affected 12 districts, including Gwalior, Morena, and Rewa, while moderate fog was reported in 11 districts, including Neemuch, Jabalpur, and Tikamgarh.

Intense cold is driven by icy winds from northern states’ snowfall, including Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Meteorologist Arun Sharma explained that melting snow will increase wind speeds and intensify the cold in Madhya Pradesh. The state is likely to experience cold wave conditions for 20–22 days in January.

Weather conditions will shift in the next few days. Dense fog will continue in many districts on January 4 and 5, but it will likely clear on January 6 and 7, causing a slight rise in day and night temperatures. Despite this relief, severe cold is expected later in the month, keeping January chilly.

This winter has been unusually harsh, with November and December breaking records. December was colder than January in many areas, with some cities experiencing nine consecutive days of cold wave conditions. The cold has impacted daily life, prompting districts like Bhopal and Indore to adjust school timings. In Bhopal’s Van Vihar National Park, heaters have been installed to protect animals, and efforts are being made to shield temple idols from the cold.

Historical data shows extreme January weather in Madhya Pradesh. Bhopal’s coldest night was 0.6°C on January 18, 1935, and Indore’s lowest was -1.1°C on January 16, 1935. Gwalior often records below-freezing temperatures, with -1.1°C in January 1954. Ujjain’s coldest temperature was 0°C on January 22, 1962.

As the state braces for continued cold, occasional fog and fluctuating temperatures are expected to dominate January’s weather.

Support us to keep independent environmental journalism alive in India.

Keep Reading

Watch: Kashmir experiences first snowfall of season after dry spell

Amarnath Yatra: Tackling rising death toll from extreme weather events

Tourists arrival in Kashmir break records, a need to regulate it?

From tourist paradise to waste wasteland: Sindh River Cry for help

Follow Ground Report on X, Instagram and Facebook for environmental and underreported stories from the margins. Give us feedback on our email id [email protected]. 

Don't forget to Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, Join our community on WhatsApp, and Follow our YouTube Channel for video stories.