Bhopal:
Large parts of Madhya Pradesh have been swept by a severe cold wave as the minimum temperature in Umaria district touched zero degree mark and the state capital recorded lowest temperature of 2.3 degree Celsius -- seven degrees below normal.
The minimum temperature was recorded at 0 degree Celsius in Umaria district, while it was 2.3 degree Celsius in Bhopal - which was the lowest in the last 60 years, Met department officials said, adding that yesterday the lowest temperature in the state capital was 5.5 degree Celsius.
In order to beat the cold, people in Bhopal were seen huddled by the bonfires. Bhopal had recorded a minimum temperature of 0.6 degree Celsius on January 18, 1935.
In Madhya Pradesh's other major cities - Indore, Gwalior and Jabalpur, the minimum temperatures were recorded at 5.0 degree Celsius, 5.2 degree Celsius and 3.6 degree Celsius respectively.
At Malajkhand in Balaghat district, the minimum temperature of 0.4 degree was recorded followed by 0.6 degree Celsius in Mandla, 0.7 degree Celsius in Naogaon in Chhatarpur, 1.0 degree Celsius in Tikamgarh, 1.2 degree Celsius in Damoh and 3.4 degree Celsius in Ratlam.
Thick fog enveloped Gwalior and Khajuraho in the morning, causing virtual non-visibility in some areas.
The cold wave was a result of the winds blowing in from North India and the snowfall there, the Director of Met Department of India (Madhya Pradesh) Dr D P Dubey told PTI.
He said that most places in Madhya Pradesh were likely to witness the minimum temperatures of 4 degree Celsius or less in the next 24 hours.