Chhattisgarh remains in an active monsoon phase, with widespread rainfall across north and central parts of the state. The IMD has warned of isolated very heavy rainfall in North Chhattisgarh on August 18, followed by an isolated heavy-rain warning on August 19. The latest official data also show that the state's seasonal rainfall remains 7% below normal, although rainfall distribution varies sharply between districts.

LAST UPDATED: AUGUST 18, 2026 | 9:00 PM IST

1. North Chhattisgarh Faces Biggest Rain Risk

The India Meteorological Department's Meteorological Centre, Raipur, has forecast widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy spells over North Chhattisgarh on August 18. Thunderstorms and lightning are also expected.

The latest IMD bulletin says widespread rain occurred across North and Central Chhattisgarh during the preceding 24 hours, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in the Surguja and Raipur divisions.

The weather activity is linked to a depression over Jharkhand and adjoining northern Gangetic West Bengal. The system was moving west-northwestwards and was expected to weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area during the following 24 hours.

2. Chhattisgarh Rain Leaderboard

IMD's district and station rainfall data dated August 18 show several locations receiving substantial rainfall.

Today's standout: Bagbahara recorded 141.2 mm, the highest rainfall among the stations listed in the latest IMD rainfall statement. Mahasamund and Chhura also crossed 110 mm.

3. Where Is the Monsoon Most Active?

The latest IMD assessment shows a broad wet spell rather than isolated rainfall confined to one part of the state.

WIDESPREAD RAIN

Rain occurred at most places across North and Central Chhattisgarh during the preceding 24 hours.

HEAVY RAIN POCKETS

Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall was recorded in parts of the Surguja and Raipur divisions. Ambikapur recorded 51.5 mm, while Durg received 38.4 mm in the station observations.

RAINFALL DISTRIBUTION

The national IMD bulletin also reported rainfall at most places over Chhattisgarh during the August 18 observation period, confirming that the monsoon remained active across the state.

4. Chhattisgarh Monsoon Scorecard

The latest district-wise seasonal rainfall data from June 1 to August 18 put Chhattisgarh's sub-divisional rainfall at 740.2 mm, against a normal of 794.4 mm.

That represents a 7% deficit, although IMD classifies the sub-divisional seasonal rainfall as normal under its rainfall classification system.

The district picture is considerably more uneven.

EXCESS RAINFALL

Sarangarh-Bilaigarh is at +56%, while Baloda Bazar and Balrampur are at +28%. Mahasamund, Mungeli, Narayanpur and Janjgir are also above normal.

DEFICIENT RAINFALL

Surguja has the largest deficit at -45%, followed by Bemetara at -40%, Kanker at -37% and Jashpur at -36%.

Overall, the August 18 data show that heavy rainfall in some districts has not erased the state's seasonal rainfall gap uniformly.

5. Temperature Watch: Ambikapur Records 29.4°C

Rain and cloud cover have kept daytime temperatures relatively subdued.

Highest maximum temperature:
Ambikapur — 29.4°C

Other key readings:
Bilaspur — 28.6°C
Jagdalpur — 29.1°C
Rajnandgaon — 27.5°C
Durg — 27.4°C

The lowest minimum temperature among the main reporting stations was Durg at 21.6°C. IMD expects no major change in maximum temperatures during the next two days, followed by a possible rise of 1–3°C.

For Raipur, IMD has forecast a generally cloudy sky with a few spells of rain or thundershowers, with temperatures around 28°C maximum and 24°C minimum.

6. Flood and Farm Risk Remains Important

The combination of widespread rainfall and isolated very heavy spells can increase the risk of waterlogging, rapid runoff, overflowing streams and temporary disruption on vulnerable roads and low-lying crossings.

The IMD has also advised precautions during thunderstorms and lightning. People should move indoors when thunder is heard, avoid taking shelter under trees and stay away from exposed electrical lines and metal structures.

Farmers have been advised to move harvested crops to safe storage. IMD has also recommended protective measures for horticultural and vegetable crops where hail or thunderstorms are possible.

The tracker will not classify the current rainfall as beneficial or damaging to paddy, soybean or other crops without supporting agricultural assessments.

7. August 19–24: Rain Continues, Intensity May Ease

The wet spell is expected to continue after August 18, although the intensity and distribution will change.

AUGUST 19

Chhattisgarh is under an isolated heavy rainfall warning, with thunderstorms and lightning also possible.

AUGUST 20–22

IMD expects lighter and more scattered rainfall in Chhattisgarh, with isolated thunderstorms and lightning. The national bulletin indicates fairly widespread to widespread rainfall over Chhattisgarh during August 18–20, while isolated to scattered rainfall is expected during August 21–22.

AUGUST 23–24

Light to moderate rain is expected at many places on August 23 and 24, with no specific warning in the Raipur centre's seven-day forecast.

THE NUMBER TO WATCH

The key question for Chhattisgarh is not simply how much rain falls during the current spell. It is whether continued rainfall can reduce the state's 7% seasonal deficit while improving severely deficient districts such as Surguja, Bemetara and Kanker.

The Dainik Jagran Chhattisgarh Weather Tracker will follow the changing picture through rain alerts → 24-hour rainfall → seasonal deficit → district differences → flood risk → farm implications → what changes next.

Primary source: India Meteorological Department, Meteorological Centre Raipur. District-wise seasonal and station rainfall data are from the IMD's August 18, 2026 rainfall statement.