Central India Faces Freezing Temperatures, IMD Issues Cold Wave Alert

Madhya Pradesh, Nov 17 :  Continues to reel under an intense cold wave, with minimum temperatures plunging well below normal across the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for severe cold wave conditions in Bhopal, Sehore, Rajgarh, Indore, Shajapur, Satna, Shahdol, Jabalpur, and Maihar. Cold wave alerts have also been issued for Betul, Dhar, Dewas, Shivpuri, Rewa, Umaria, Katni, Panna, Damoh, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, and Niwari.

Cold day conditions are expected in Chhindwara and Balaghat. The weather has remained dry across all divisions over the past 24 hours. However, severe cold wave impacts were reported in districts including Bhopal, Rajgarh, Indore, Rewa, Jabalpur, Sehore, Shajapur, and Shahdol, with additional chill felt in Dhar, Nowgong, Chhatarpur, Damoh, Shivpuri, and Betul. Malanjkhand in Balaghat experienced a cold day.

Minimum temperatures remained significantly below normal, dropping by 5.1 to 7.9°C in Bhopal, Indore, Rewa, and Jabalpur divisions, and by 3.2 to 4.5°C in Ujjain, Gwalior, Shahdol, Sagar, and Chambal divisions. The lowest night temperatures were recorded in Rajgarh and Girvar (6.0°C), followed by Kalyanpur, Shahdol (6.2°C), and Bhopal and Indore (6.4°C). Maximum temperatures stayed below normal by 1.8 to 3.6°C, with Khandwa recording the highest at 30.5°C and Amarkantak the lowest at 22.3°C.

A low-pressure system over the southwest Bay of Bengal is moving west-northwest but is not expected to impact Madhya Pradesh. Clear skies with haze, light winds of 8–10 km/h, and temperatures around 26°C maximum and 7°C minimum are expected in Bhopal and nearby areas until Monday morning.

Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors, wear warm clothing, consume hot beverages and nutritious food, and remain vigilant for hypothermia symptoms such as shivering or numbness. Farmers are advised to lightly irrigate fields, create smoke barriers, protect sensitive crops, and shelter livestock with energy-rich feed. The cold wave is expected to continue over the coming days with minimal change.