Meteorological department warns of thunder, heavy winds across state; Korba tree-fall kills three, Raipur likely to see 41°C daytime high

Relief from the recent heatwave was short-lived as the State Meteorological Department on Sunday forecast thunder, lightning, heavy winds and localized rain over the next five days, with gusts likely reaching 50–60 kilometres per hour in parts of the state. The warning comes a day after a sudden storm in Korba’s Pali police station area caused a fatal tree collapse that killed three youths.

What happened in Korba
Saturday evening’s storm struck without much lead time, sending people rushing for cover. According to local police and hospital sources, three young men who took shelter under a large roadside tree in Pali were fatally injured when a heavy branch snapped and fell on them. Initial reports say the men were pronounced dead at the scene; their identities are being verified and an inquest has been ordered, officials said.

Other local impacts
Across the state, showers and gusty winds were reported in Raipur, Sarguja and Pendra. In Pendra, authorities reported that strong winds tore off a tin shed and uprooted at least one tree. No casualties were reported from those incidents. Meteorological data for the past 24 hours showed Durg recorded the highest daytime temperature at 42.6°C, while Pendra Road logged a minimum of 24.2°C.

What the forecast says
The meteorological department issued a fresh advisory early Sunday, warning of thunder, lightning, heavy winds and isolated heavy rainfall over various districts through the coming five days. Officials said two trough systems — one extending from central Pakistan to the Andhra coast and another active in the upper levels from the Bay of Bengal to the Lakshadweep region — are pumping moisture into the region and destabilising the atmosphere.

“Due to these systems, we expect convective activity across Chhattisgarh. Wind gusts of 50–60 km/h are possible at isolated places, along with lightning and scattered heavy showers,” a state meteorological official told reporters. The forecast specifically named Raipur, Durg, Korba, Sarguja and adjacent districts as areas likely to be affected.

Local advisory and safety tips
State authorities urged people to avoid standing under trees, stay away from power poles and open fields during storms, and secure loose objects that can be blown away by strong winds. The department also advised farmers to protect standing crops and fishermen to avoid venturing into seas or large reservoirs until advisories are lifted.

Raipur outlook
For the state capital, forecasters expect the sky to remain partly to mostly cloudy on Sunday with chances of thunder, dust squalls or brief heavy rain during the day. Raipur’s daytime temperature is likely to hover around 41°C, with a minimum near 28°C, offering modest relief from the more extreme highs recorded earlier in the week.

Wider context
Weather officials said daytime temperatures across the state have already fallen by 2–3 degrees Celsius in the last 24 hours, and another 2–3 degree drop is possible over the next two days as convective activity continues. However, they cautioned that the accompanying winds and lightning will pose hazards, especially where infrastructure is vulnerable.

Ground reaction
Residents in low-lying and open areas reported sudden changes in wind direction and rapid cloud build-up on Saturday evening. “The sky darkened within minutes and the wind hit so hard that sheets of the temporary market stalls started flapping,” said one trader in Pendra, who declined to be named. Local civic bodies said they are on alert and monitoring vulnerable trees and electricity lines.

What’s next
Authorities said district administrations have been asked to keep disaster response teams on standby and to coordinate with power and road departments for quick restoration work if needed. The meteorological department will review the situation daily and issue updates; people are being asked to follow local alerts and exercise caution during outdoor activities.

Chakghat hit by storm
A late‑night thunderstorm and gale-force winds tore through Chakghat town and surrounding areas along the Rewa–UP border on Thursday, causing extensive damage to homes, shops and roadside infrastructure, local officials and residents said Friday morning. Initial reports indicate strong gusts and heavy rain struck the municipal area for several minutes, uprooting trees, toppling electric poles and blowing away tin roofs.

Heavy signboard collapses
The storm’s force was sufficient to bring down a large iron distance signboard that stood outside Chakghat police station on the national highway. The board crashed onto the road shoulder, scattering debris and prompting a brief spell of confusion among passing motorists before teams cleared the obstruction, according to police officials at the scene.

Damage across market
Business districts reported widespread damage to hoardings and shop canopies. Several tin sheds—common on shop fronts and residential houses—were ripped off and carried across lanes, leaving exposed interiors and broken windows. Stranded fallen trees and snapped utility poles blocked key stretches of the highway, disrupting traffic into the morning.

Power and traffic hit
The falling poles and severed cables left large pockets of Chakghat and nearby villages without electricity. Municipal and electricity department crews were working to isolate faults, remove debris and restore supply, but residents said many areas remained powerless during the morning peak. Motorists faced delays; local authorities advised drivers to take alternate routes until highways crews reopened the main carriageway.

No casualties reported yet
Officials and local volunteers said there were no confirmed fatalities by early Friday, a relief after the violence of the storm. “We have not received any report of loss of life,” a district emergency official said. Several vehicles parked on streets sustained dent and window damage after being struck by fallen branches or blown roof sheets, and a handful of residents reported minor injuries while moving debris.

Relief teams mobilised
Rewa district administration, along with Chakghat municipal staff and Rapid Action Force teams, reached the worst‑hit pockets before dawn. Crews cleared blocked roads and cut fallen trees to allow ambulances and essential vehicles through. Electricity department teams worked on reconnection and on temporary restoration measures, prioritising hospitals and critical installations.

Calls for faster survey
Local residents and traders urged authorities for a prompt damage assessment and financial relief. “Shops are damaged, stock ruined, roofs gone— we need an official survey so compensation and immediate repairs can begin,” said a shopkeeper in the main market who spoke on condition of anonymity. Neighbourhood committees helped identify the most vulnerable households and coordinated with municipal staff on temporary shelter and roofing material.

Weather context
Meteorological officers in Rewa said the storm was consistent with the region’s late‑season convective activity, when heat and moisture can produce sudden, intense squalls. “This was a short‑duration but high‑intensity thunderstorm with strong winds,” an IMD representative told reporters. Areas along the Rewa–UP border are often more exposed to gust fronts travelling west to east, the officer added.

Ground realities
On inspection rounds through the morning, journalists saw torn corrugated sheets draped over electric conduits, uprooted banyan and neem trees, and sections of roadside fencing crumpled under fallen signboards. Shopkeepers swept rainwater and sludge from doorways while municipal sweepers hauled branches into municipal trucks. Many residents remained anxious about recurring storms over coming days and sought clearer early warnings.

Next steps
District authorities said a formal damage survey would be launched later Friday to estimate losses to houses, businesses and public infrastructure, and to fast‑track relief where needed. Restoration of power and full reopening of the highway were listed as top priorities. “Teams are working to restore normalcy; the survey will help us plan compensation and rebuilding,” a senior district official said.

For now, Chakghat residents are clearing debris and checking on neighbours, while emergency crews continue restoration work. Authorities have asked the public to report fallen live wires or damaged poles to the district control room and to avoid standing near loose signboards.