Madhya Pradesh Paralysed by Intense Cold and Dense Fog, Transport in Disarray
A severe cold wave and persistent dense fog have brought normal life and transport services across Madhya Pradesh to a standstill, with record-low temperatures and near-zero visibility creating chaos for residents and travellers alike.
For over a week, the state has been shivering under icy winds, with conditions worsening significantly. Over 20 major trains, including key services like the Malwa Express and Shatabdi, are delayed daily by 30 minutes to a staggering eight hours. Flight operations from Bhopal and Indore have also faced consistent disruptions.
Record-Breaking Chill Grips the State
The severity of this Madhya Pradesh cold wave was underlined on Saturday when Kalyanpur in Shahdol district recorded a bone-chilling minimum of 2.8 degrees Celsius—the season's first dip below the 3-degree mark. Indore, among major cities, was the coldest at 5.6°C. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported dense fog in at least 18 districts on Sunday morning, with Rewa's visibility dropping to a dangerous 50 metres.
"The combination of an active jet stream over North India, icy mountain winds, and cold air from the plains is creating this intense and sustained chill," explained a senior IMD official. "This is linked to active Western Disturbances and is breaking long-standing records."
Transport Network Brought to Its Knees
The fog disruption in MP has hit the railway network hardest. Trains originating from Delhi and northern states are bearing the brunt of the delays.
The Malwa Express arrived in Bhopal six hours late on Saturday.
Similar major delays are reported for the Jhelum Express, Sachkhand Express, and Punjab Mail.
Road and air travel remain equally precarious, with authorities urging extreme caution.
Health and Safety Advisories in Place
In response to the crisis, the IMD has issued comprehensive advisories:
Travel: Avoid non-essential journeys. Use fog lights and drive at low speeds if travel is unavoidable.
Health: Cover head, neck, and extremities. Vulnerable groups are advised to wear masks outdoors to avoid respiratory issues from fog-borne pollutants.
Agriculture: Farmers are warned to protect sensitive crops like tomato and mustard from moisture-related diseases and ensure proper ventilation in animal shelters.
This winter continues a record-breaking trend, following Bhopal's longest November cold spell since 1931.
With the Madhya Pradesh cold wave showing no immediate signs of relenting, residents are bracing for more days of disrupted routines and challenging conditions, highlighting the profound impact of extreme weather on daily life.
