Severe heatwave triggers wildlife casualties across Chhattisgarh, forest department steps up tree spraying, while IMD forecasts thunderstorm relief.

A brutal heatwave gripping central Chhattisgarh has taken a severe toll on local wildlife, forcing authorities to deploy emergency measures. In Balod district’s Dalli Rajhara township, the forest department has started spraying water on trees after reports emerged that nearly 200 bats were dying daily due to sunstroke and extreme dehydration.

The heatwave crisis comes even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a dual alert, forecasting both continued heatwave conditions and sudden thunderstorm activity across the state over the next 48 hours.

Severe Wildlife Casualties Reported

The intense heat has triggered ecological distress across several districts. Beyond Balod, mass casualties of wild animals have been reported from Khairagarh and Kanker. In the Dallikholi-Lachhna forest range of Khairagarh, local teams recovered bodies of peacocks and civets that succumbed to the heat.

Meanwhile, in the Sarona area of Kanker, hundreds of bats fell from trees due to thermal shock. To mitigate further losses at the BSP MVT Center in Dalli Rajhara, forest officials are using water tankers to lower ambient temperatures around major bat roosting sites.

Maximum Temperatures Cross 45°C

According to daily weather data, Durg emerged as the hottest pocket in the state over the last 24 hours, recording a maximum temperature of 45.5°C. The capital city of Raipur is bracing for similar conditions today, with the local meteorological centre predicting a maximum temperature of around 45°C and a minimum settling near 29°C.

In contrast, Ambikapur in northern Chhattisgarh recorded the state’s lowest minimum temperature at 26°C, providing marginal nighttime relief to the region.

Rain and Thunderstorm Alert

While central Chhattisgarh continues to swelter under a heatwave alert, meteorologists indicate a shift in weather patterns starting May 29. A yellow alert has been issued for scattered rain, lightning, and squally winds touching speeds of 40 to 50 km/h across several districts.

The impending rain is expected to drag down maximum temperatures by 2°C to 4°C, offering much-needed respite from the blistering conditions. Pre-monsoon activity has already shown its face; a sudden storm on Wednesday evening uprooted an electricity pole in Raipur’s Devpuri area, disrupting local power supply.

Multiple Weather Systems Active

"An upper-air cyclonic circulation is currently active over north-west Odisha and adjoining areas," a senior meteorological official said.

Additionally, a trough line stretches from Uttar Pradesh to Odisha, while another north-south trough runs from Bihar down to Telangana. The interaction of these systems is drawing moisture into the region, causing the current atmospheric instability and triggering the Chhattisgarh heatwave and sudden rain alert.

Advisory Issued for Farmers

With harvesting and sowing schedules colliding with unpredictable weather, agricultural scientists have issued an official advisory for local farmers.

Growers of Rabi maize, banana, and papaya have been advised to undertake light irrigation after weeding to protect crops from moisture stress. Farmers have also been urged to expedite the harvesting of wheat and gram, ensuring the yield is moved to safe, covered storage units before the expected thunderstorms hit.