21 districts hit by cold wave in Madhya Pradesh:Icy winds sweep the state; temperatures drop below 10°C in Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur

Madhya Pradesh is currently experiencing a severe cold wave as icy winds sweep across the state. After several chilly nights and cold mornings, daytime temperatures are also falling, making the weather unusually harsh for this time of year. Cities including Bhopal, Indore, and Jabalpur are among the worst affected, as cold winds and dense fog reduce visibility and make life difficult for residents. On Tuesday, more than 15 districts reported extremely cold conditions, and forecasters predict that similar weather will continue on Wednesday. The impact of fog is now being felt in many regions, particularly in Bhopal, where fog appeared on Tuesday evening and disrupted normal activities. The Meteorological Department has issued a cold wave alert for 21 districts of Madhya Pradesh. These include Bhopal, Indore, Rajgarh, Jabalpur, Shajapur, Sehore, Dewas, Khandwa, Khargone, Dhar, Barwani, Shivpuri, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna, Maihar, Shahdol, Katni, and Umaria. Authorities have urged people, especially the elderly and children, to take precautions during the ongoing cold wave. Temperature drop across the state The cold wave has caused a significant drop in temperatures across the state. Rajgarh emerged as the coldest district with temperatures falling to 5.6°C, while the hill station of Pachmarhi recorded 6.4°C. Other cities reported the following temperatures: Umaria 7.6°C, Nougaon 7.8°C, Shivpuri 8°C, Betul 8.7°C, Dhar 8.8°C, Malajkhand 8.9°C, Khandwa 9.4°C, Chhindwara 9.5°C, and Khargone and Mandla 9.6°C. Among the state’s larger cities, Bhopal witnessed a slight increase to 8.2°C after its temperature had dropped to 5.2°C on Sunday-Monday night, breaking an 84-year-old November cold record. Indore’s temperature settled at 7.7°C, Gwalior recorded 10.5°C, Ujjain 11°C, and Jabalpur 9°C. The sudden fall in temperature has been attributed to persistent northern winds and clear skies, which intensify the cold during nights and early mornings. Schools adjust timings due to cold With the temperature plunging, several districts have adjusted school timings to protect children from early morning cold. In Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Khandwa, Jhabua, Shahdol, and Sagar, schools delayed their start times. Specifically, in Jabalpur, from November 19 onwards, classes from Nursery to 5th grade will begin only after 9 AM. This decision was officially announced by Collector Raghavendra Singh to ensure children are not exposed to the harsh morning cold. Record-breaking cold in Bhopal Bhopal has experienced some of the coldest nights in nearly a century. On the night of November 16-17, the city recorded an unusually low temperature of 5.2°C, breaking a record from 1941 when it had dropped to 6.1°C. Senior meteorologist Dr. Divya E. Surendran confirmed that November night temperatures in Bhopal had set a new low, highlighting the severity of this year’s cold wave. Clear skies across the state have amplified the effect of the northern cold winds, keeping temperatures lower than normal during the day as well. The Meteorological Department has forecast that a low-pressure area will develop over the southeastern coast of India from November 22. This system may influence weather patterns in central India, but for the next two days, the cold wave alert remains in effect across Madhya Pradesh. Residents have been advised to dress warmly, avoid early morning travel if possible, and take special care of children and the elderly. November weather trends in Madhya Pradesh This year, the cold arrived unusually early. The first week of November saw a rapid fall in temperatures, signaling an early start to winter in the state. Interestingly, this November also follows a pattern of significant rainfall in October, when Madhya Pradesh received 2.8 inches of rain, 121% above the average of 1.3 inches. Despite the rainfall, the temperatures in November have dropped sharply, creating cold nights and chilly mornings across the state. City-wise temperature trends and rainfall records