Rain thunderstorm alert issued across half of Madhya Pradesh:Western Disturbance to trigger fog and strong winds across state

Nearly half of Madhya Pradesh has been placed under an alert for rain and thunderstorms on January 27 and 28. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a strong Western Disturbance that affected north-west India on 26 January is now influencing weather conditions across the state. Even ahead of this system, the Gwalior–Chambal region has been experiencing cloudy skies, rainfall and dense fog. The IMD’s Meteorological Centre in Bhopal reported that two cyclonic circulations are currently active over northern India. In addition, a low-pressure area and a trough have been observed. As a result of these combined systems, several districts in the Gwalior–Chambal division recorded rainfall over the past 24 hours. Many districts remained under cloud cover throughout the day, keeping temperatures relatively low on Saturday. Strong winds were reported in more than ten districts, including Chhatarpur and Ratlam. Bhopal also remained cloudy for most of the day. Although no severe cold wave is expected over the next two days, the Meteorological Department has warned that another spell of biting cold is likely towards the end of the month. Sudden rain in Narsinghpur On Saturday evening, the Salichauka area of Narsinghpur district witnessed heavy rain for 20 to 25 minutes. The sudden downpour made roads slippery, causing difficulties for two-wheeler riders and pedestrians. Districts likely to receive rain January 27- Bhopal, Ujjain, Gwalior, Sheopur, Morena, Bhind, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Sagar, Guna, Ashoknagar, Shivpuri, Vidisha, Rajgarh, Shajapur, Agar-Malwa, Neemuch, Mandsaur and Ratlam. January 28- Jabalpur, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna, Rewa, Mauganj, Sidhi, Singrauli, Maihar, Shahdol, Umaria, Katni, Damoh, Sagar, Narsinghpur, Vidisha and Raisen. No intense cold expected for 2 days The IMD has indicated that no intense cold conditions are expected over the next two days. However, light to moderate fog is likely during morning hours. On Saturday, fog was observed in 22 districts, including Bhopal, Gwalior, Sheopur, Morena, Bhind, Datia, Shivpuri, Guna, Ashoknagar, Agar-Malwa, Rajgarh, Vidisha, Sagar, Shajapur, Sehore, Raisen and Niwari. Datia recorded the densest fog, while visibility was also poor in Bhopal and Naugaon. Temperatures drop across the state Mandsaur was the coldest location in the state on the night between Friday and Saturday, recording a minimum temperature of 7.3 degrees Celsius. Rajgarh followed at 7.4 degrees, while Marukheda in Neemuch recorded 7.9 degrees. Pachmarhi and Kalyanpur registered 8.2 degrees, and Karaundi in Katni recorded 9.2 degrees Celsius. Among the state’s five major cities, minimum temperatures were recorded at 12.5 degrees in Bhopal, 12.2 in Indore, 13.3 in Gwalior, 12.8 in Ujjain and 15.3 degrees Celsius in Jabalpur. Sharp fall in day temperatures Daytime temperatures in the Gwalior–Chambal region dropped sharply on Saturday due to cold winds. Datia was the coldest during the day, with a maximum temperature of 18.6 degrees Celsius — a drop of nine degrees within 24 hours. Khajuraho recorded an eight-degree fall, with the temperature settling at 21.4 degrees. Further declines in daytime temperatures are expected on Sunday. What is a western disturbance? According to the IMD, a Western Disturbance is a weather system comprising winds and clouds that move in from the west. When active, it brings snowfall to hilly regions and rainfall to plains. After it passes, cold northerly winds prevail, intensifying cold conditions both during the day and at night. Why is January crucial for cold weather ? The Meteorological Department notes that just as July and August account for over 60 per cent of monsoon rainfall, December and January are critical months for severe cold. During this period, cold winds from northern India frequently reach Madhya Pradesh, causing sharp temperature drops. Data from the past ten years confirms this trend. The activation of Western Disturbances often leads to winter rainfall, locally known as Mawatha, which has already begun affecting the state in the final week of January.