Ambulance services hit amid dense fog in MP:Night-time emergency response slows; rural areas face added risks despite trained staff

Severe cold and dense fog have tightened their grip over large parts of Madhya Pradesh, disrupting daily life and significantly slowing emergency medical response. Officials said reduced visibility, especially during night and early morning hours, has directly affected ambulance response time in several districts. With temperatures dipping close to 2 degrees Celsius in some regions and cold wave and cold day conditions prevailing, winter severity has reached an extreme this January. In Bhopal, the cold has broken a 10-year January record, while schools in Indore, Raisen, Gwalior and Narmadapuram remained closed on Wednesday due to the weather. Fog covers more than half the state Dense fog continues to blanket large parts of the state. Districts such as Gwalior, Bhind, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh and Chhatarpur are witnessing severely reduced visibility. Fog has also affected Bhopal, Ujjain, Neemuch, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Agar-Malwa, Rajgarh, Shajapur, Vidisha, Morena, Sheopur, Shivpuri, Guna, Ashoknagar, Sehore, Sagar, Damoh, Jabalpur, Katni, Panna, Satna, Rewa, Sidhi, Singrauli, Umaria and Shahdol. The Meteorological Department has issued cold wave alerts for Bhopal, Sehore, Rajgarh and Shajapur, while cold day conditions have been reported in Bhopal, Vidisha, Sehore, Shajapur and Narsinghpur. Emergency services hit, response time slows The persistent fog has created serious operational challenges for the 108 Ambulance Service across the state. Officials said visibility drops sharply between 2 am and 6 am, forcing ambulances to slow down for safety, which in turn increases response time. The impact is most visible during night-time emergency calls and Inter Facility Transfer (IFT) cases, where patients need to be shifted from one hospital to another. Slower vehicle movement under foggy conditions has made timely transfers more difficult, particularly in critical cases. Ambulance skids off road near Morena An accident underscored the risks posed by dense fog during night operations. Due to heavy fog, an ambulance went off the road near Morena around 3 am. The incident led to the vehicle’s glass shattering, highlighting how poor visibility can quickly turn dangerous for emergency responders. No serious injuries were reported, but officials said such incidents add to operational delays and safety concerns during fog-bound hours. Rural areas face added risk In rural and agricultural belts, the situation becomes more challenging. Officials said night-time irrigation increases moisture in the air, intensifying fog and further reducing visibility on roads. In such areas, ambulance drivers are required to exercise extreme caution, often resulting in additional delays. Despite these constraints, emergency calls continue to be attended, though response time has been affected due to safety considerations. Drivers trained for low-visibility conditions Tarun Singh, Manager, 108 Ambulance Service, said special training has been provided to drivers and staff to handle fog and extreme winter conditions. He added that standard operating procedures are being reinforced during the current weather spell. While fog has impacted response time in some cases, teams remain alert and committed to ensuring patients reach healthcare facilities safely. Singh said. Services continue amid severe winter Singh said that despite extreme cold, dense fog and reduced visibility, ambulance drivers and emergency staff continue to perform their duties with caution and dedication. Authorities are closely monitoring weather conditions and adjusting operational protocols to balance safety with urgency.