Gwalior, Chambal Region — As a shroud of dense fog envelops the city and its surrounding areas for the second consecutive day, Gwalior is grappling with the deadly embrace of winter. The adverse weather conditions have brought life to a standstill, with roadways paralyzed by sluggish traffic and virtually zero visibility on both city roads and highways.
The cold has proven fatal for three destitute individuals who spent the night exposed to the harsh elements on the streets. The tragic deaths serve as a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of the cold gripping the Gwalior-Chambal region.
Forecast by Indian Meteorological Department
Meteorologist JP Vishwakarma explains that the cold intensifies due to north-easterly winds, causing clouds to dissipate and leaving the weather dry. The absence of moisture in the air contributes to a drop in day and night temperatures by one to two degrees. The looming impact of snowfall in hilly areas is expected to exacerbate the chilling conditions in the Gwalior-Chambal region.
The lack of a western disturbance has led to a continuous drop in temperature, with no foreseeable disturbance anticipated in the coming week. However, the persistent morning fog is expected to persist, posing challenges for residents.
While Sunday morning witnessed a chill in the air and the presence of fog, the wind gradually picked up throughout the day, causing clouds to disperse. Despite the sunshine, the wind speed of 6 to 8 kilometers per hour prevented the sun from exerting its warming influence, leaving people to contend with the cold.
Looking ahead, meteorologists predict the formation of clouds on December 29, ushering in rain for the Gwalior-Chambal region. This anticipated rain is poised to bring about a rapid temperature drop. A cyclonic wind system forming in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh is expected to carry moisture, resulting in cloud formation and potential drizzle across the region.
The ongoing cyclone in Bangladesh is not anticipated to impact the Gwalior-Chambal region. However, future cyclones arising in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea are likely to affect areas including Gwalior, Datia, Bhind, and Morena.
Other Regions in India
Most districts in Madhya Pradesh are currently grappling with dense fog during mornings and late nights, heightening the risk of accidents. A new weather system is expected to become active on December 29, potentially bringing rain once again.
In terms of temperatures, Khandwa recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state at 30.5 degrees Celsius, while Rajgarh and Bijawar registered the lowest minimum temperature at 7.5 degrees Celsius. Eastern and south-eastern winds are active across the state, leading to clashes with northern and eastern winds. This collision has resulted in widespread dense fog late at night and in the morning, posing transportation challenges and reducing visibility to critically low levels.
Notable areas experiencing very dense fog include Bhind, Morena, Gwalior, and Datia, with moderate fog observed in Shivpuri, Sheopur, Ashok Nagar, Vidisha, Bhopal, Niwari, Tikamgarh, and Chhatarpur. Meanwhile, North Neemuch, Ratlam, Agar Malwa, Shajapur, Rajgarh, Guna, Raisen, North Sehore, Sagar, Damoh, Katni, Panna, Rewa, Sidhi, Shahdol, and Mandla experienced light to moderate fog.
Minimum visibility ranged from 0 to 50 meters in Gwalior, Datia, 50 to 100 meters in Bhopal, Khajuraho, Tikamgarh, and 200 to 500 meters in Guna, Vidisha.
