Bhopal/Raipur, Nov 17 (NationPress) Madhya Pradesh is currently experiencing a severe cold wave, with minimum temperatures drastically falling below normal levels across the region. The Meteorological Department's Bhopal center has issued alerts for a harsh cold wave affecting isolated areas in Bhopal, Sehore, Rajgarh, Indore, Shajapur, Satna, Shahdol, Jabalpur, and Maihar. Additionally, cold wave conditions are anticipated in Betul, Dhar, Dewas, Shivpuri, Rewa, Umaria, Katni, Panna, Damoh, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, and Niwari.

In Chhindwara and Balaghat, cold day conditions are expected to persist. No rainfall has been recorded throughout the state.

Over the last 24 hours, dry weather has dominated all divisions, but intense cold wave conditions have affected Bhopal, Rajgarh, Indore, Rewa, Jabalpur, Sehore, Shajapur, and Shahdol districts. The cold wave has also impacted regions such as Dhar, Nowgong in Chhatarpur, Damoh, Shivpuri, and Betul, while Malanjkhand in Balaghat has recorded a cold day.

The minimum temperatures have not shown substantial changes but remain considerably below normal by 5.1 to 7.9 degrees Celsius in Bhopal, Indore, Rewa, and Jabalpur divisions, while they are lower by 3.2 to 4.5 degrees in Ujjain, Gwalior, Shahdol, Sagar, and Chambal divisions.

The lowest temperature in the state was noted at 6.0 degrees Celsius in Rajgarh and Girvar in Shajapur, closely followed by Kalyanpur in Shahdol at 6.2 degrees, and both Bhopal and Indore at 6.4 degrees.

In Bhopal, temperatures dipped to 6.4 degrees on both Saturday and Sunday evenings, remaining below 10 degrees Celsius.

Maximum temperatures have largely remained steady but are significantly below normal by 3.2 to 3.6 degrees in Indore, Ujjain, Rewa, and Shahdol divisions, and below normal by 1.8 to 2.7 degrees in Bhopal, Narmadapuram, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Sagar, and Chambal divisions.

The highest recorded maximum temperature was 30.5 degrees Celsius in Khandwa, while Amarkantak in Anuppur noted the lowest at 22.3 degrees.

A low-pressure area persists over the southwest Bay of Bengal near the Sri Lankan coast, but it is expected to move west-northwest without affecting Madhya Pradesh, where dry weather is set to continue. In Bhopal and surrounding areas, clear skies with haze are expected, with winds at 8 to 10 kilometers per hour, and temperatures around 26 degrees maximum and 7 degrees minimum until Monday morning.

Authorities recommend that residents stay indoors as much as possible, wear warm attire, consume hot drinks and nutritious meals, and be vigilant for hypothermia symptoms such as shivering or numbness. Farmers are advised to lightly irrigate fields, establish smoke barriers, cover sensitive crops, and provide shelter and energy-rich feed for livestock. The cold wave is projected to persist, with no significant changes anticipated in the upcoming days.