Foggy start to 2025 in Madhya Pradesh, cold wave to continue all month

The new year’s first day brought thick fog to several Madhya Pradesh cities, including Bhopal and Ujjain, reducing visibility to 100 meters. Mahakal Lok residents woke up to dense fog, signalling a prolonged cold wave expected throughout January.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts a 20 to 22-day cold wave this month, with colder days in northern regions like Gwalior, Chambal, and Ujjain. Dense fog will likely continue for three days, affecting visibility and transportation across half the state.

December ended with rain and hailstorms in over 45 districts, including Bhopal, Indore, and Jabalpur. This precipitation was triggered by a Western Disturbance, bringing hailstorms to 20 districts. As the rains subsided, the cold intensified, a pattern expected to dominate January.

Adding to the chill, snowfall in northern regions like Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand will melt snow, pushing colder winds southward into Madhya Pradesh.

Fog and cold wave forecast

• January 1: Dense fog is forecasted in Bhopal, Gwalior, Sehore, Raisen, Vidisha, and other districts. In Neemuch, Mandsaur, Rajgarh, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, and Panna, cold wave conditions will prevail.

• January 2: Foggy conditions will continue in Gwalior, Morena, Bhopal, and Jabalpur. Cold wave conditions are expected in Neemuch, Mandsaur, Jabalpur, and Rewa.

• January 3: Light to moderate fog is likely in Neemuch, Mandsaur, Gwalior and Rewa districts.

• Agar Malwa: Dense fog has significantly reduced visibility, forcing drivers to rely on headlights even during the day.

• Ashoknagar: Fog and drizzle have reduced visibility to 100 meters.

• Raisen: Tuesday night temperatures dropped to 17 degrees Celsius, with dense fog observed on Wednesday morning.

• Rajgarh: The coldest city on Tuesday night, with temperatures plunging to 5.6 degrees Celsius.

Daytime temperatures across the state are unusually low, ranging from 17 to 22 degrees Celsius. Night temperatures in Bhopal (9.6°C), Jabalpur (9.5°C), and Ujjain (13°C) have dropped sharply, adding to the winter chill.

Dense fog has impacted road traffic, reducing visibility to 50 meters in areas like Katara Hills in Bhopal. Drivers are advised to exercise caution and reduce speed to prevent accidents.

As Madhya Pradesh enters 2025, residents should brace for an extended cold wave and persistent fog. Authorities recommend wearing warm clothing, minimising outdoor activities, and taking precautions while travelling during foggy mornings.

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