Icy winds kept the people wrapped in woollens in Madhya Pradesh where farmers are worried about frost damage to the rabi crops as night temperatures remained below the normal.
According to the meteorological centre, the cold wave will remain the same for the next few days. The northerly wind has left the state shivering under considerable low temperatures.
At 2 degrees Celsius, Malanjkhand was coldest in Madhya Pradesh. Umaria and Raisen shivered at 3.3 degrees Celsius and 3.4 degrees Celsius, respectively. The minimum temperature in Bhopal on Saturday was 5.8 degrees Celsius. In Indore, the minimum temperature was 7.5 degrees Celsius - three degrees below normal.
“Cold wave conditions prevail in almost all the parts of the state. The minimum temperature of Bhopal will remain 5.5-6 degrees Celsius and the maximum temperature will remain 20-21 degrees Celsius for the next few days,” director of Regional Meteorological Centre, Anupam Kashyapi said.
The maximum temperature is below 16 degrees Celsius in parts of north and north east Madhya Pradesh. Fog was reported from Ujjain till the late morning hours. Dewas also reported dense fog. The weather office predicted dense fog in Gwalior, Shivpuri, Tikamgarh and Chambal region.
Meanwhile, farmers are praying for change in the weather. Earlier, the winter rains had raised the hope for a good harvest in the rabi season. But the farmers are now dreading frost as the rabi crops, especially wheat and gram, are at the flowering stage.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, farmers are praying for change in the weather. Earlier, the winter rains had raised the hope for a good harvest in the rabi season. But the farmers are now dreading frost as the rabi crops, especially wheat and gram, are at the flowering stage.
{{/usCountry}}Some parts of the state have already reported crop damage due to frost. Ratlam grain mandi president Dinesh Sharma admitted that frost has damaged rabi crops but the extent of damage remains to be assessed.
In Khargone district, winter rains and night temperature hovering around 3.5 degrees Celsius have affected flowering of wheat.
Deputy director, agriculture, RS Sisodia said winter rains and cold winds will benefit wheat crop, if sunshine occurs during the day.