Dew blankets vehicles along Narmada, mist at Pachmarhi:Nowgaon coldest in Chhatarpur, Umaria temp plunges to 3.1°C amid intense cold wave

The cold wave has intensified across eastern Madhya Pradesh. During the night between Monday and Tuesday, temperatures dropped sharply in several cities. Naugaon in Chhatarpur district recorded the lowest minimum temperature at around 3°C, making it the coldest place in the state. In Dindori, vehicles parked along the banks of the Narmada River were found covered with a thick layer of dew early in the morning. Light mist was also seen rising over the Pachmarhi lake. Minimum temperatures across cities According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD): In major cities Nearly 25 cities across Madhya Pradesh recorded temperatures below 10°C. Dense fog hits visibility, train timings affected Dense fog reduced visibility to 50–200 metres in Datia and Khajuraho. Thick fog was also reported in Satna, Naugaon, Rewa, Sidhi, Khargone, and Mandla. Due to this, train schedules were impacted in several regions. Record-breaking cold in November–December This season, cold conditions have broken records in both November and December. In November, Bhopal experienced a cold wave for 15 consecutive days, the highest since 1931. On the night of November 17, the temperature dropped to 5.2°C, an all-time record. Previously, the lowest November temperature in Bhopal was 6.1°C on November 30, 1941. Indore also saw the season’s coldest night at 6.4°C, the lowest in 25 years. December temperatures have also remained unusually low, with Bhopal dipping below 5°C. Why December–January are the coldest months The Meteorological Department explains that just as July–August account for the bulk of monsoon rainfall, December and January are peak winter months. During this period, cold northerly winds reach Madhya Pradesh more frequently, leading to a sharp fall in temperatures. Active western disturbances often bring drizzles (locally called Mavtha) in December, intensifying the chill even during daytime. Regions experiencing the most severe cold