After a brief lull, monsoon activity has picked up again in Chhattisgarh, with the southern and central parts of the state likely to receive heavier rainfall over the next two days.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had warned of isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over Chhattisgarh on September 10 and 11. The renewed spell comes after several days of relatively subdued rainfall, including a spell of rain in Raipur on Thursday evening.

The rain brought some relief from humidity, but showers also affected traffic movement in parts of Raipur, with congestion reported after the rainfall.

South and Central Chhattisgarh to See Stronger Rainfall

Weather activity is expected to remain higher over south and central Chhattisgarh, where rainfall intensity could increase during the next couple of days.

Some areas may experience spells of heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. Other parts of the state are also likely to receive light to moderate rainfall.

The IMD's district-warning system is currently tracking rainfall and thunderstorm risks across the state, with forecasts subject to change as fresh weather observations come in.

Residents in areas experiencing heavy showers have been advised to exercise caution, particularly during thunderstorms and lightning.

Raipur Could Get More Rain Spells

Raipur is expected to remain under cloudy conditions with intermittent rain or thundershowers.

The city recorded a fresh spell of rain on Thursday evening after a gap of several days. The showers provided relief from the prevailing humidity but also resulted in traffic congestion at several locations.

IMD's city forecast indicates the possibility of light rain or thunderstorms in Raipur on September 11 and 12.

The maximum temperature in the city is expected to remain around the low 30s Celsius.

Rainfall Deficit Remains a Concern

Despite the fresh spell, rainfall distribution across Chhattisgarh remains uneven.

A recent assessment showed significant differences between districts, with some areas recording surplus rainfall while others continued to face deficits.

The latest state-level assessment cited in the source report puts the seasonal rainfall deficit at around 6%.

The renewed rainfall could help reduce the shortfall in some areas, although the impact will depend on the amount and distribution of rain received over the coming days.

Thunderstorms and Lightning Require Caution

With heavy rain expected in parts of the state, thunderstorms and lightning could become an additional weather hazard.

People should avoid open areas, isolated trees and exposed locations during thunderstorms. Commuters should also be prepared for slower traffic and temporary waterlogging in low-lying urban areas if rainfall becomes intense.

Monsoon Activity Likely to Stay Active

The latest weather pattern indicates that the monsoon is not completely subdued over Chhattisgarh.

The IMD's September 10 bulletin specifically identified Chhattisgarh among the areas likely to receive isolated heavy to very heavy rain on September 10 and 11.

For Raipur and other urban centres, the immediate concern is likely to be short-duration heavy showers, traffic disruption and localised waterlogging, while agricultural areas could benefit from additional rainfall.

The weather situation will remain dependent on the movement and strengthening of the system over the Bay of Bengal and adjoining regions. District-level warnings may change with subsequent IMD updates.

The Bilaspur Range Cyber Police have busted an alleged mule bank account network suspected of helping cyber fraudsters route and withdraw money obtained through online scams. Six people have been arrested after investigators traced suspicious transactions and cybercrime complaints across multiple states.

According to the police investigation, bank accounts linked to the accused were allegedly provided to cybercriminals in exchange for commissions. Investigators found connections to around 50 cyber-fraud complaints registered in different states, involving suspected financial fraud of nearly ₹4 crore.

The case highlights how so-called mule accounts — legitimate bank accounts allegedly controlled or used by third parties to receive and move illicit funds — are increasingly being used to complicate the money trail in cybercrime cases.

₹2.20 Crore Transaction in 25 Days

The investigation began after suspicious activity was detected in an account associated with Ajay Farm House at the Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank's Mangla branch.

A police-linked report said that between May 18 and June 12, 2026, more than ₹2.20 crore was recorded as suspicious transactions in the account over just 25 days.

The bank's internal scrutiny reportedly indicated that the account was being used to receive and transfer funds suspected to be linked to cyber fraud.

The bank subsequently shared relevant records with the Range Cyber Police, helping investigators begin tracing the wider network.

Accounts Allegedly Provided for Commission

Police allege that members of the network approached people and persuaded them to provide or open bank accounts in return for financial incentives.

The accused allegedly offered account holders commissions of around ₹20,000 to ₹25,000, along with a percentage of transactions. The source report puts the alleged share at around 2.8% per transaction.

After the accounts were made available, investigators allege that access to mobile banking, internet banking and related banking facilities was handed over to the operators.

Fraud proceeds could then be transferred into the accounts before being withdrawn or moved onward, making it harder for investigators to immediately identify the original beneficiaries of the fraud.

Six People Arrested

The Range Cyber Police arrested six people as part of the investigation.

Police questioning allegedly led investigators from account holder Ajay Kumar Soni to other suspected members of the network, including Narendra Kurre and Raipur-based Devesh Kumar Das alias Robin.

Police are investigating the specific roles played by each accused and their links with other people who may have supplied or operated bank accounts.

A police-linked report said the arrested suspects were allegedly involved in arranging accounts in the names of ordinary people and making them available for cybercrime-related transactions.

Cybercrime Complaints Across States

The investigation has widened beyond Bilaspur after police found that the bank accounts were allegedly connected with complaints from different parts of the country.

Around 50 cybercrime complaints across multiple states have been linked to the accounts under investigation, with the suspected fraudulent transactions estimated at nearly ₹4 crore.

Police are now examining transaction records and other digital evidence to establish how the money moved between accounts and identify the wider cybercrime network.

What Is a Mule Bank Account?

A mule account is generally a legitimate bank account that is allegedly used by another person or group to receive, transfer or withdraw illegally obtained money.

Such accounts can make cybercrime investigations more difficult because the account receiving the money may not belong to the person who carried out the original fraud.

The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) has also issued advisories on different forms of account and digital-account misuse and advises citizens to avoid sharing sensitive banking information or credentials with unknown people.

The National Cybercrime Reporting Portal allows citizens to report financial fraud and other cyber offences.

Police Checking Wider Network

The six arrested suspects have been produced before a court and sent to judicial custody, according to the report.

Investigators are now examining the role of additional people who may have helped recruit account holders, operate the accounts or transfer the money.

Police are also expected to examine transaction trails, digital devices, account credentials and other financial records to determine the full scale of the alleged network.

The Bilaspur case underlines a growing challenge for cybercrime investigators: online fraud does not always end with the account from which money is stolen. Tracing the accounts used to receive and move the money can be equally important in dismantling the wider network.

With the 2028 Chhattisgarh Assembly elections still nearly two years away, the Congress has begun building its organisational machinery well in advance. The party's Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan reached Bilaspur on Thursday, where newly appointed block-level leaders and master trainers are being trained to strengthen the organisation from the block to the booth level.

The three-day divisional training camp, scheduled from September 10 to 12, brought several senior Congress leaders onto the same platform, including Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Deepak Baij, former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Leader of Opposition Charan Das Mahant.

The exercise marks an attempt by the party to build its grassroots network before the next Assembly election rather than waiting until the final months of the electoral cycle.

Congress Shifts Focus to Booth-Level Organisation

The central message from the training programme is organisational preparedness.

Congress is training block presidents and master trainers so that the party's political programmes, organisational approach and outreach can subsequently be taken down to individual booths.

The objective is to keep the grassroots machinery active between elections and create a more consistent link between party workers and voters.

The Bilaspur camp is part of a wider divisional training programme being conducted across Chhattisgarh under the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan. Similar training has already been conducted in the Bastar and Durg divisions, with other divisions scheduled to follow.

Senior Leaders Share the Platform

The presence of Baghel, Baij and Mahant at the Bilaspur programme gave the training camp added political significance.

Congress leaders used the sessions to emphasise organisational unity, grassroots activity and raising public issues.

Baij addressed the gathering as PCC president, while Baghel spoke about contemporary politics, including the party's approach to religion and secularism. Former minister Tamradhwaj Sahu addressed participants on coordination between the organisation and elected representatives, political direction and strategy.

Congress leaders also urged workers to remain active on issues affecting people rather than limiting organisational activity to the election period.

Training Covers Politics, Organisation and Congress History

The programme is not limited to election management.

According to the Congress briefing, participants are being trained on subjects including the role of organisational structures, political strategy, coordination between the party and government, the history and evolution of the Indian National Congress, and the role of the organisation in public life.

Yugal Pandey discussed the purpose and role of organisational training, while other speakers covered the Congress's formation, its political journey and its contribution to the country's development.

The sessions also include discussions and interactions with participants, allowing block-level leaders to raise questions and understand their responsibilities.

74 Block Presidents Taking Part

Reports on the Bilaspur programme put the number of participating block Congress presidents at around 74, along with master trainers.

The idea is to turn these trained leaders into a link between the state-level organisation and the party's grassroots network.

Once the divisional training is completed, block presidents and master trainers are expected to carry the organisational lessons to lower levels and keep local party activity running regularly.

Congress Begins Mission 2028 Early

The timing of the exercise is significant. The next Chhattisgarh Assembly election is scheduled for 2028, giving the Congress considerable time to work on its organisational structure.

Rather than treating booth management as an activity reserved for the election season, the party is now attempting to build a permanent grassroots network.

The approach also reflects the importance of booth-level mobilisation in a state where electoral contests have traditionally involved strong competition between the Congress and BJP.

For Congress, the immediate challenge is to translate training programmes into sustained activity on the ground.

From Training Camps to Grassroots Network

The Bilaspur camp is one stage of a larger organisational exercise. The party has planned similar training programmes across the state's divisions, with the stated objective of making the organisation more active from the district and block levels down to the grassroots.

The Congress's own messaging around the programme centres on strengthening the organisation and giving workers a clearer role in raising public issues.

Whether this early preparation translates into electoral gains in 2028 will depend on how effectively the trained leadership can maintain the network between now and the election.

For now, the Bilaspur training camp signals that Chhattisgarh Congress has begun its organisational groundwork for 2028 well ahead of the formal election campaign.

A woman who had travelled from Kawardha to Raipur to collect compensation following her son's death allegedly lost ₹1.60 lakh in cash shortly after withdrawing the money from a Punjab National Bank branch located on the Raipur court premises.

The woman, identified as Mamta Tiwari, told police that she discovered the money missing from her purse after travelling through the city in an e-rickshaw and an auto-rickshaw.

The Civil Lines police have registered a case against an unidentified person and started investigating the suspected theft.

Money Withdrawn From Court Premises Bank

According to the police complaint, Tiwari, a resident of Maharajpur village in Kawardha district, works in the Health Department.

She had travelled to Raipur with her husband, Khedan Tiwari, on September 10 in connection with compensation related to the accidental death of their son.

After completing the court-related work, she withdrew ₹1.60 lakh in cash from the Punjab National Bank branch located within the court premises.

The cash was reportedly kept inside her purse.

Woman Changed Two Vehicles on Way to Bhanpuri

After withdrawing the money, Tiwari and her husband reached the Chhattisgarh Mahatari statue near the city's multi-level parking area at around 4 pm.

From there, they travelled by e-rickshaw to Fafadih Chowk. They then changed vehicles and boarded another auto-rickshaw towards Bhanpuri Chowk.

It was after reaching Bhanpuri that Tiwari checked her purse and allegedly found that the entire ₹1.60 lakh was missing.

She informed her husband and advocate Niranjan Sahu about the missing cash.

Police Suspect Theft During Journey

Tiwari reportedly told police that she suspected someone may have taken the cash from her purse while she was travelling in one of the vehicles.

At this stage, police have not identified the person responsible for the alleged theft.

Investigators are examining whether the cash was stolen inside an auto-rickshaw or at another point along the route.

CCTV Footage Under Scanner

Civil Lines police are examining CCTV footage from the Punjab National Bank branch and the route from the court area through Fafadih to Bhanpuri.

Police are also expected to question the drivers of both vehicles used by the woman and her husband.

Investigators are checking the footage for anyone who may have been following the woman after she withdrew the cash.

The possibility that someone noticed the large cash withdrawal and followed her is also being examined, although police have not confirmed this theory.

Investigation Underway

The incident has prompted investigators to reconstruct the woman's movements from the time she left the bank until she noticed the missing money.

Police are collecting CCTV footage and other information that could help identify the suspect.

For now, the case remains under investigation and the identity of the alleged thief has not been established.

The incident also highlights the risk involved in carrying substantial amounts of cash after withdrawing money from a bank, particularly when travelling through crowded public transport and changing vehicles.

A special POCSO court in Chhattisgarh's Durg district has sentenced a 24-year-old man to death for the rape and murder of his six-year-old niece, bringing the case to a verdict around 17 months after the crime.

The Special Fast Track POCSO Court described the case as falling in the “rarest of rare” category. The verdict was delivered on September 10, 2026, in connection with the April 6, 2025 incident in the Mohan Nagar police station area.

The accused was convicted under Section 6(1) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for the sexual assault and murder. He was also sentenced to five years' rigorous imprisonment under Section 238(a) of the BNS for causing disappearance of evidence.

Six-Year-Old Went Missing During Kanya Bhoj

The incident took place on April 6, 2025, during Navratri, when the child had gone to a relative's house where preparations for Kanya Bhoj were underway.

The girl subsequently went missing, prompting her family to approach police. A search operation was launched in the Mohan Nagar area.

According to reports, the child was later found inside a vehicle parked near the locality and was taken to hospital. Doctors declared her dead. A post-mortem examination subsequently established that she had been sexually assaulted.

Police Investigation Focused on the Family

During the investigation, police examined people who had been present around the house and reconstructed the child's movements before she disappeared.

The accused, who was the girl's uncle, came under suspicion during the investigation.

Police subsequently arrested him and continued examining forensic and other evidence collected during the investigation.

The case attracted significant public anger in Durg after the child's death, while investigators worked to establish the circumstances surrounding the crime.

Scientific Evidence Strengthened the Case

Police used forensic evidence and other investigative material to establish the prosecution's case.

The investigation included examination of biological samples and other evidence connected with the crime scene. The prosecution relied on scientific evidence alongside witness and circumstantial evidence during the trial.

Reports said the police had constituted a special investigation team as part of the probe.

Despite some witnesses reportedly changing or retracting parts of their statements during the proceedings, investigators relied on the forensic evidence and other material presented before the court.

Court Calls It 'Rarest of Rare'

After examining the evidence, the Special POCSO Court convicted the accused and imposed the death penalty.

The court classified the offence as “rarest of rare,” the legal category in which Indian courts may impose capital punishment after considering the circumstances of the crime and the offender.

The court imposed a fine of ₹5,000 under each of the POCSO and murder provisions. A separate five-year rigorous imprisonment sentence and ₹1,000 fine were imposed for disappearance of evidence.

Death Sentence Still Needs High Court Confirmation

The death penalty announced by the trial court is not yet the final stage of the process.

Under the applicable legal procedure, a death sentence awarded by a sessions court must be confirmed by the High Court before it can be carried out. Reports on the verdict said the confirmation process will be taken up before the Chhattisgarh High Court in Bilaspur.

Therefore, while the Durg court has awarded the death sentence, its execution cannot follow solely on the basis of Thursday's trial-court verdict.

Verdict Comes 17 Months After Crime

The verdict came approximately 17 months after the April 2025 crime.

The case had drawn considerable attention in Durg because of the victim's age and the circumstances in which her body was recovered.

The court's decision now moves the case into the next stage of the judicial process, with confirmation of the death sentence by the High Court remaining necessary.

A CISF personnel was killed after two rounds were fired accidentally while he was cleaning his service rifle at the Bachheli camp in Dantewada. Police have started an investigation into the incident.

 A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Head Constable died after his service rifle accidentally fired two rounds while he was cleaning it at the CISF camp in Bachheli, Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district.The deceased has been identified as Head Constable Dattatraya (50), who was posted at the CISF Bachheli camp. He was a resident of Ahilyanagar district in Maharashtra.According to police, the incident took place at the 10-11 A camp area of CISF in Bachheli police station limits. The personnel was cleaning his AK-47 rifle (butt number 405) inside Potacabin No. 3 when the weapon suddenly fired.The bullets hit the head constable, leaving him critically injured. He was immediately taken to Apollo Hospital, Bachheli, where doctors declared him dead after examination.

Body Sent for Postmortem

Following the incident, the body was kept at the NMDC Bachheli mortuary. After completion of legal formalities, it has been sent to Dantewada District Hospital for postmortem.The family members of the deceased personnel have also reached Bachheli after receiving information about the incident.

Police Begin Investigation

Police officials reached the CISF camp and started investigating the circumstances that led to the firing. The exact reason behind the accidental discharge will be clear after the forensic examination and postmortem report.Officials said the investigation is underway and further details will be available after the completion of the probe.

A 19-year-old woman in Raigarh has accused a man of establishing a relationship with her through Instagram, allegedly promising marriage and later refusing to marry her. Police have arrested the accused and sent him to judicial custody.

Police in Raigarh have arrested a 24-year-old man after a woman accused him of sexually exploiting her on the promise of marriage. The woman alleged that the accused befriended her through Instagram, developed a relationship and later refused to marry her.The case has been registered at Pusaur police station. According to police, the accused has been identified as Anil Kumar Sao, a resident of Bunga village.

Friendship started on Instagram

Police said that the 19-year-old complainant approached Pusaur police and submitted a written complaint.In her complaint, the woman alleged that she received an Instagram friend request from Anil in 2025. After accepting it, the two started communicating regularly.She alleged that during their conversations, Anil expressed his love and assured her that he would marry her and keep her as his wife.

Woman alleges exploitation on marriage promise

According to the complaint, the accused allegedly called her near Patelpali College on October 15, 2025, and later took her to a hotel, where she alleged that he established a physical relationship against her wishes.The woman further alleged that the accused continued the relationship at different places until May 2026 by assuring her of marriage.She claimed that whenever she asked about marriage, he would allegedly argue with her and avoid the issue.

Allegation of taking ₹45,000

The woman also alleged that the accused took ₹45,000 from her in the name of marriage preparations.She claimed that later he refused to marry her and allegedly threatened her when she asked for the money back.Following this, she informed her family and approached the police.

Police action and investigation

Police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and began an investigation.The woman’s statement was recorded by a female police officer and her medical examination was conducted as part of the investigation process.Police later arrested the accused from his residence and produced him before the court. He has been sent to judicial custody.

An AI-powered retro photo trend has reached Chhattisgarh’s political circles, with Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and cabinet ministers sharing digitally transformed images inspired by the style, fashion and aesthetics of the 1980s.

 A popular artificial intelligence (AI) photo trend sweeping social media has now caught the attention of Chhattisgarh’s political leaders. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and members of his cabinet have shared AI-generated images showing themselves in a retro 1980s-inspired look.

The digitally created pictures feature vintage-style clothing, hairstyles, old camera effects, colour tones and backgrounds designed to recreate the feel of the 1980s.

The trend has been gaining popularity on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, where users are transforming their current photographs into nostalgic retro-style portraits using AI tools.

Ministers share vintage AI avatars

Several Chhattisgarh ministers, including Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma, along with other cabinet members, participated in the trend by sharing their AI-generated retro images on social media.

The pictures show leaders in a different style compared to their usual public appearances, with AI-generated elements inspired by the fashion and photography style of the 1980s.

How the 80s AI photo trend works

In this trend, users upload their photographs on AI image-generation platforms and provide prompts describing a vintage appearance.

The AI tools modify elements such as:

• Clothing style

• Hairstyles

• Background settings

• Lighting effects

• Camera texture

• Colour tones

The final image is designed to resemble an old photograph from the 1980s.

From common users to celebrities, trend goes viral

The retro AI trend is not limited to politicians. Social media users, artists and celebrities have also been experimenting with similar transformations.Many users are creating images inspired by old Bollywood posters, college memories, family photographs and vintage studio portraits.Earlier, AI-based image trends such as animated-style transformations and decade-based photo challenges also gained popularity among social media users.

Growing influence of AI on digital creativity

The trend reflects the increasing use of artificial intelligence in personal content creation. AI tools are allowing users to recreate different eras, styles and visual concepts without traditional photo editing methods.While such trends are mainly for entertainment and creativity, experts have also highlighted the need for responsible use of AI-generated images, especially when images of public figures or individuals are shared online.

PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya Kondagaon teacher Vinayak Kohli has received national recognition for his innovative teaching methods that combine Bastar’s culture, art and local life with social science education.

A teacher from Bastar has brought national recognition to Chhattisgarh by transforming the way students learn social science. Vinayak Kohli, a social science teacher at PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya Kondagaon, has been selected as the national winner in the geography category at the India’s Best Teachers Awards 2026.The award, organised by Oxford Saïd Business School and Shiv Nadar Foundation, recognised Kohli’s innovative teaching approach. He was selected from more than 9,500 teachers across India, making him one of the youngest educators to receive the honour.

Turning Bastar’s Culture into a Classroom Resource

Kohli’s teaching model focuses on connecting textbook concepts with real-life examples from Bastar. He incorporated local culture, traditions, art forms and geographical features into social science lessons to make learning more practical and engaging for students.Through activities and a social science laboratory approach, students were encouraged to understand geography and society beyond traditional classroom methods.

Honoured by Kondagaon Administration

Following the national recognition, Kondagaon Collector Nupur Rashi Panna honoured Vinayak Kohli at the Collectorate conference hall.The event was attended by District Panchayat CEO Avinash Bhoi, Additional Collector Ajay Uraon, education department officials, principals, teachers and students.During the programme, Kohli presented his teaching model and explained how teachers can use their own skills and interests to make classroom learning more effective.

Began Presentation with Bharatanatyam

Kohli started his presentation with a traditional Bharatanatyam greeting gesture. He has been learning Bharatanatyam for the past seven years.He highlighted that every teacher has a unique skill, art form or interest apart from their subject expertise. When these talents are integrated into teaching, students become more interested and learning becomes more impactful.

Selected Through Three-Stage Process

According to Kohli, the selection process for the national award was conducted in three stages. After competing with thousands of teachers, he was invited to Delhi for the final round.There, he presented his teaching model before professors from Oxford University and other experts. Based on this presentation, he was selected as the national winner in the geography category.

Schools to Develop Geography Labs

Inspired by Kohli’s achievement, Collector Nupur Rashi Panna has directed school principals in the district to develop geography laboratories in their institutions.The initiative aims to promote practical learning methods and provide students with better opportunities to understand subjects through experiments and real-world examples.

To spread awareness about rising cyber crimes, Raigarh Police has announced a short film competition under the “Cyber Jagrut Abhiyan”. People from all sections of society can participate and create films on cyber safety.

Raigarh Police has launched a unique initiative to create awareness about cyber crimes by organising a short film competition under the Cyber Jagrut Abhiyan.The competition aims to encourage people to spread messages about cyber safety through creative storytelling. Participants from all sections of society, including students, filmmakers, youth and content creators, can take part.The theme of the competition is “Sankalp, Cyber Crime Mukt Chhattisgarh”.

Two categories for participants

The competition will be conducted in two categories:

Category 1: Short Films (3 to 6 minutes)

Participants can create detailed films showing:

• Cyber crime incidents

• Methods used by online fraudsters

• Impact on victims

• Prevention and safety measures

Prizes in this category:

• First Prize: ₹1 lakh

• Second Prize: ₹75,000

• Third Prize: ₹50,000

Category 2: Short Videos/Reels (Up to 3 minutes)

This category focuses on short and effective awareness messages related to cyber safety.

Prizes:

• First Prize: ₹75,000

• Second Prize: ₹50,000

• Third Prize: ₹25,000

Mobile-made films also eligible

Senior Superintendent of Police Shashi Mohan Singh said that cyber criminals are constantly changing their methods and targeting people through fear, greed, fake promises and lack of awareness.He said that preventing cyber crime requires public awareness along with police action. People need to understand safe digital practices while using online payments and social media platforms.The SSP added that films made using mobile phones will also be encouraged and accepted in the competition.

Students and citizens invited to participate

The competition is open to:

• Students

• Youth

• Filmmakers

• Content creators

• Social organisations

• General citizens

Participants will have to upload their films on Google Drive or another reliable file-hosting platform and submit the publicly accessible link through the application process.

Films may be used for public awareness

The selected films may be used by authorities for cyber awareness campaigns and social media outreach.Officials have also advised participants to ensure that all music, images and video content used in films have proper rights. In sensitive cases, the privacy and identity of victims must be protected.The decision of the judging panel will be considered final.

The Union Cabinet has approved major railway expansion projects in Chhattisgarh, including a fourth rail line between Pendra Road and Katni and a third line between Pendra Road and Bilaspur. The projects are expected to reduce train congestion, improve punctuality and strengthen freight movement.

Passengers travelling on the busy Bilaspur–Katni railway route are set to get relief as the Union Cabinet has approved expansion of railway infrastructure in the region.Under the approved projects, a fourth railway line will be developed between Pendra Road and Katni, while a third railway line will be constructed between Pendra Road and Bilaspur.The decision is expected to increase rail capacity and improve the movement of both passenger and freight trains on one of central India’s important railway corridors.

Additional tracks to reduce congestion

The Bilaspur–Katni route handles a large number of passenger trains as well as freight trains carrying goods for industries and businesses.Due to heavy traffic on the existing tracks, trains often face operational delays. The addition of new railway lines will provide extra capacity and help railway authorities manage train movement more efficiently.

Better travel experience for passengers

The expansion work is expected to bring several benefits for passengers, including:

• Reduced train delays

• Smoother train operations

• Improved punctuality

• Increased availability of railway routes

The additional tracks will allow more trains to operate without affecting existing schedules.

Boost for industrial development

Apart from passenger convenience, the railway expansion is also expected to support industrial growth in the region.Improved freight transportation capacity will benefit areas including Bilaspur, Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi and surrounding districts by making transportation of goods faster and more efficient.

Strengthening railway network in Chhattisgarh

The approval of these projects is being seen as an important step towards strengthening railway connectivity in Chhattisgarh. The expansion will help meet future transportation demands and improve the overall efficiency of the rail network.

A cyclonic circulation near Bengal and Bangladesh is expected to intensify into a low-pressure area, bringing increased rainfall activity across Chhattisgarh. The state has recorded 6% less rainfall than normal so far this monsoon season.

Rainfall activity in Chhattisgarh is expected to increase from September 10 as a weather system developing near Bengal and Bangladesh begins affecting the state.According to the Meteorological Department, a cyclonic circulation has formed over the region, and a low-pressure area is likely to develop over the Bay of Bengal. Due to this system, moisture-laden winds will increase over Chhattisgarh, leading to rainfall in several districts.The weather department has warned of heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning activity in some parts of the state over the next few days.

Heavy rain alert issued

The Meteorological Department has predicted:

• Light to moderate rain at many places

• Heavy rainfall at some locations

• Thunderstorms with lightning risk

• Increase in rainfall activity over the next two days

People have been advised to avoid open areas, trees and electric poles during thunderstorms due to the possibility of lightning strikes.

Rainfall recorded in several areas

During the last 24 hours, some parts of Chhattisgarh received light to moderate rainfall.

Highest rainfall recorded:

• Pali (Korba): 40 mm

• Belgahna (Bilaspur): 30 mm

• Hardibazar (Korba): 20 mm

• Narharpur (Kanker): 20 mm

The state has received rainfall below normal levels so far, with the season’s total rainfall remaining 6% lower than average.

Temperature remains high in Raipur

Despite increasing rain activity, temperatures continue to remain elevated in some areas.

• Highest temperature: Raipur – 34.2°C

• Lowest temperature: Pendra Road – 21.2°C

In Raipur, partly cloudy skies are expected, with chances of rain and thunderstorms. The maximum temperature is likely to remain around 34°C, while the minimum temperature may stay near 26°C.

Weather system to impact multiple districts

Officials have not identified one specific district as the most affected yet. However, as the weather system strengthens, several parts of Chhattisgarh may experience increased rainfall.The Meteorological Department is monitoring the situation and has advised citizens to stay alert during storm activity.