Monsoon has finally entered Chhattisgarh through the Dantewada region, but the season is off to a troubled start. Since June 1, the state has received only 33.2 mm of rain against a normal of 108.2 mm — a deficit of nearly 69 percent. The meteorological department has now issued an alert for the next five days, warning of thunderstorms, moderate to heavy rain, and lightning across several parts of the state, with wind speeds potentially touching 40 to 50 kilometres per hour.

Raipur and Raigarh saw a sudden weather change Monday afternoon, with heavy rain lashing both cities. Waterlogging was reported on Mahadevghat Road in the Sundarnagar area of Raipur. Monday's highest temperature was recorded at Rajnandgaon at 40 degrees Celsius, while Jagdalpur logged the lowest minimum at 22.7 degrees. For the next two days, central Chhattisgarh's maximum temperatures are expected to stay 2 to 3 degrees above normal.

The deficit is spread unevenly across districts, but the numbers are grim almost everywhere. In central Chhattisgarh, Raipur has received just 25.3 mm against a normal of 90.1 mm — a 72 percent shortfall. Durg and Dhamtari both recorded 34.2 mm, well below their respective normals of 113.9 mm and 112.6 mm. Mahasamund stands at 20.7 mm against 105.4 mm normal, and Balodabazar has received a mere 14 mm.

Some districts are in far worse shape. Rajnandgaon has seen only 8.3 mm of rain this season against a normal of 100.3 mm — a staggering 92 percent deficit, the most severe in the state. Mohla-Manpur-Chouki is at 95 percent deficit. Balodabazar and Sarangarh-Bilaigarh are both at 83 percent, and Sakti is in the same range.

Even Bastar division, which received the monsoon first and is faring relatively better, is not in comfortable territory. Bastar district, the best-performing in the state, has received 74.8 mm against a normal of 142.7 mm — still 48 percent below par. Dantewada and Sukma are both at 54 percent deficit.

The worry now is the kharif sowing season. Adequate soil moisture for sowing has not built up across most districts, and the window is narrowing. Met officials say the next ten days are critical — if widespread rain arrives before the end of June, the state's rainfall account could recover quickly. The strengthening of the monsoon system after its entry through Dantewada is encouraging, with cloud cover now visible across Bastar, Raipur, and southern parts of Bilaspur division.

For Raipur on June 23, the department has forecast cloudy skies with rain and thunderstorm activity likely through the day. Maximum temperature is expected around 36 degrees and minimum around 23 degrees Celsius.

Chhattisgarh Weather Alert: Storms, Hail, Rain for 2 Days

Chhattisgarh weather alert warns of thunderstorms, strong winds up to 60 km/h, and possible hailstorm activity across the state for two days, even as temperatures remain above seasonal norms.

Storm Warning in Force

A fresh weather alert is in effect across Chhattisgarh as the India Meteorological Department warns of thunderstorms, hailstorm activity, and gusty winds through April 2. The Chhattisgarh weather alert, triggered by an active meteorological system originating in Uttar Pradesh, puts the state on notice for two consecutive days of rough weather — even as parts of the region continue to record above-normal temperatures.

What Is Driving This

According to officials at the regional meteorological centre, a trough line — a zone of atmospheric low pressure — is currently active, stretching from eastern Uttar Pradesh all the way down to southern Tamil Nadu. This system passes through Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Marathwada, and interior Karnataka before influencing conditions further south. It is this trough that is pulling moisture into central India and setting off storm conditions across Chhattisgarh.

Sources indicated that winds of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour, lightning strikes, and localised hail are all expected as this system interacts with the prevailing warm, humid air mass over the state.

Rain Already Recorded

The weather disruption is already visible on the ground. As per reports, over the past 24 hours, Tokpal in Bastar division received 20 mm of rainfall, while Bhanpuri, Jagdalpur, and Nangur each logged 10 mm. Most other parts of the state remained dry, though cloud cover has been building steadily since Tuesday evening.

Temperatures Above Normal

Despite the incoming weather activity, daytime temperatures across Chhattisgarh are running 2 to 3 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average. Rajnandgaon recorded the highest maximum in the state at 38.5 degrees Celsius, while Ambikapur logged the lowest minimum at 19.8 degrees Celsius — a wide thermal spread that reflects the unsettled nature of the current weather pattern.

Raipur Forecast Today

In the state capital, skies will remain partly cloudy through the day with a possibility of thunder and light rain by evening. The maximum temperature is expected around 38 degrees Celsius and the minimum at approximately 26 degrees Celsius, according to officials. Residents have been advised to avoid open areas and tall trees if storms develop through the afternoon hours.

Relief Coming, But Brief

The meteorological department noted that temperatures are likely to fall by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over the next three days as the storm system moves through the region. After that, conditions are expected to stabilise and heat is likely to build again. The pattern — brief storm relief followed by a return to high temperatures — is consistent with Chhattisgarh's typical pre-monsoon April behaviour, sources indicated.

What Comes Next

The Chhattisgarh weather alert is likely to remain active at least until April 2, with meteorologists monitoring the trough's movement closely. If the system intensifies, additional districts could be brought under orange or red alert. Farmers in rain-fed agricultural zones have been informally advised to secure standing crops ahead of any hailstorm activity. State disaster management authorities are on standby to respond to storm-related incidents as and when they arise.