The cold wave is sweeping large parts of Madhya Pradesh. Cold day conditions prevail as well over the north and central parts of the state. Malwa region is a shade better than the rest. Plateau region over central parts of the state and Bundelkhand remain the coldest with simultaneous cold day and cold wave conditions. Pockets of the state are reeling under severe cold wave conditions too. No let-up is likely for the next few days.
Bundelkhand region comprising Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Datia, Gwalior, Bhind, Morena, Shivpuri, Guna, and Sheopur regions are the coldest with a minimum temperature 4-7°C below the normal. The central parts of the plateau region with an elevation of 150 – 450 mtrs have recorded cold day conditions as well, where day temperatures have remained under 15°C. Gwalior recorded a day high of 14.7°C, about 7°C below the normal.
Khajuraho has been reeling under frigid conditions with mercury slumping to 13.5°C, about 10°C below the normal. Morning minimum temperatures also were 4°C below the average and measured just 4°C. Sagar, Guna, Nowgong, and Datia have recorded the lowest minimum of the season, with the mercury plunging to 3°C. All these places were in double-digit minima about a week back.
This region is formed by the Vindhyan rocks group with the Deccan trap in the south and the Bundelkhand gneiss rocks in the east. Deep ravines of the Chambal, Kalisindh, and Parvati rivers run in the proximity of the region. Solid rocks are susceptible to the retention of cold are helping near-freeze conditions over the region. The chilly sweep extends to the borderline areas of Sagar, Satna, and Rewa.
The weak western disturbance over the northern mountains has moved away. Though the system impacted only the higher reaches of the hills, still the rear of the system was packed with bitterly cold winds. Local factors and the geographical features of the state are adding the trigger. The seasonal anticyclone generally marked over the central parts, acts as a barrier to prevent severe cold. The displacement of this feature far to the east and south will help the cold sweep to persist over the region for the next few days. No major relief is expected for the state and harsh weather conditions may extend beyond Republic Day.
Image credit: NDTV
