Chhattisgarh is likely to see an increase in rainfall activity over the next 48 hours, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of the state. North and central Chhattisgarh are expected to receive the most intense showers, with isolated areas potentially recording extremely heavy rainfall.

The weather system is also expected to bring some relief from the prevailing temperatures. The maximum temperature may fall by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over the next two days.

Depression to Intensify Rainfall

According to the weather department, a low-pressure area that had formed over coastal West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh has strengthened into a depression.

The system is moving west-northwestwards and is expected to move towards Gangetic West Bengal and Jharkhand during the next 24 hours. Its movement is likely to increase rainfall activity across Chhattisgarh.

The state is expected to remain under the influence of the active monsoon system for the next three days, after which rainfall activity may gradually ease.

Rain, Thunderstorms in Raipur

The state capital Raipur is likely to remain cloudy on August 14, with intermittent rain and thundershowers expected at some places.

The maximum temperature in the city is likely to remain around 28°C, while the minimum temperature may settle near 25°C.

During the previous 24 hours, Durg recorded the highest maximum temperature at 32.8°C, while Pendra Road recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 23.6°C.

What Is a Wind Shear Zone?

A wind shear zone refers to an area of the atmosphere where wind speed or direction changes significantly with altitude.

Such variations can make the atmosphere unstable and support the development of clouds and thunderstorms. When combined with an active monsoon system, a shear zone can contribute to increased rainfall activity across affected areas.

Chhattisgarh Rainfall Near Normal

Despite variations between districts, the overall rainfall situation in Chhattisgarh remains within the normal category.

Between June 1 and August 13, the state received 668.8 mm of rainfall, against the normal average of 734.4 mm for the period.

This represents a rainfall deficit of 65.6 mm, or around 9 per cent. However, the state's overall seasonal rainfall continues to remain within the normal range according to the available weather data.

Narayanpur Records Highest Rainfall

Among the districts, Narayanpur has recorded the highest rainfall so far this monsoon season, receiving 1,043.9 mm against its normal rainfall of 780.7 mm.

This is around 34 per cent above normal.

Other districts that have received substantial rainfall include Sarangarh-Bilaigarh with 948.2 mm, Bijapur with 870.6 mm, Janjgir with 857.3 mm and Mahasamund with 835.6 mm.

Sarangarh-Bilaigarh Gets 59% More Rain

Sarangarh-Bilaigarh has recorded the highest increase over its normal rainfall figure. The district has received 948.2 mm, compared with its normal rainfall of 598.2 mm, making the rainfall 59 per cent above normal.

Narayanpur has recorded 34 per cent excess rainfall, followed by Mungeli at 32 per cent, Balodabazar at 28 per cent, Mahasamund at 26 per cent and Janjgir at 24 per cent.

Surguja Faces 51% Rainfall Deficit

Several districts, however, continue to face significant rainfall shortages. Surguja has recorded the highest deficit at 51 per cent.

The district received 379.6 mm of rainfall against the normal figure of 773.2 mm. Jashpur has recorded a 45 per cent deficit, followed by Bemetara at 40 per cent and Kanker at 35 per cent.

Surajpur has a 22 per cent deficit, while Bastar and Kabirdham have recorded deficits of 21 per cent each.

Raipur Receives 13% Excess Rainfall

Raipur has received above-normal rainfall during the current monsoon season. As of August 13, the city had recorded 727.8 mm of rainfall, compared with the normal figure of 641.9 mm.

This means Raipur has received 85.9 mm, or 13 per cent, more rainfall than normal.

Of the state's 33 districts, 20 are currently in the normal rainfall category, while six have received above-normal rainfall and seven remain below normal.

With heavy rainfall expected over the next 48 hours, residents in northern and central parts of Chhattisgarh should remain alert to local weather warnings, particularly in areas vulnerable to waterlogging and flash flooding.

Chhattisgarh is headed for a week of sustained rainfall starting Saturday, with the India Meteorological Department issuing alerts for heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning strikes across several districts. The monsoon has already covered roughly 80 percent of the state and is expected to reach the remaining districts within three to four days.

IMD satellite imagery shows cloud activity intensifying across the state, with dense cloud cover building over Surguja, Balrampur, and Jashpur in the north, and active systems continuing over the southern reaches of Bastar division. Central districts including Raipur, Durg, Dhamtari, and Mahasamund currently have patchy cloud cover, with light to moderate rain likely in parts. Bilaspur remains comparatively drier for now.

More than 18 districts have already received the monsoon — including Raipur, Durg, Dhamtari, Gariaband, Mahasamund, Balodabazar, Kabirdham, Rajnandgaon, Kondagaon, Bastar, Dantewada, Sukma, and Bijapur. Districts still awaiting official monsoon arrival include Surguja, Surajpur, Balrampur, Korea, Jashpur, Korba, Bilaspur, Mungeli, Janjgir-Champa, Sakti, Raigarh, and several others. Pre-monsoon showers are being reported across these areas, but IMD has not yet made a formal announcement of monsoon onset there. That declaration could come within the next 48 hours.

In Raipur, Saturday is expected to bring thundershowers, with maximum temperatures around 37°C and minimums near 25°C. Bilaspur recorded the state's highest temperature in the past 24 hours at 39.1°C, while Pendra Road logged the lowest minimum at 23.8°C.

Despite the incoming rain, the season so far has been a cause for concern. Rainfall deficits across much of the state remain severe. Rajnandgaon is in the worst position — recording only 8.3 mm against a normal of 100.3 mm, a deficit of 92 percent. Mohla-Manpur-Chowki is close behind at 95 percent below normal. Balodabazar and Sarangarh-Bilaigarh are both running 83 percent short, and Sakti is also at 83 percent deficit.

Even Bastar, where the monsoon arrived first, is significantly behind. Bastar district has received 74.8 mm against a normal of 142.7 mm — 48 percent less. Dantewada and Sukma are each around 54 percent below their seasonal average.

Central Chhattisgarh tells a starker story. Raipur has received just 25.3 mm against a normal of 90.1 mm — 72 percent less. Mahasamund has managed only 20.7 mm, and Balodabazar a mere 14 mm.

The next ten days are being watched closely for the kharif season. A delayed and weak monsoon start has left fields across most districts without adequate soil moisture for sowing. Farmers are waiting on the rains before beginning paddy transplantation and other kharif crop activities — and the window for timely sowing is narrowing.

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.

Raipur, Sarguja and Korba witness sudden weather shift with strong winds and rainfall, temperatures drop by 5 degrees

The southwest monsoon is likely to enter Chhattisgarh within the next 72 hours, with weather conditions turning favourable across the state. Officials from the meteorological department confirmed on Thursday that pre-monsoon activity has already intensified, bringing much-needed relief from the prolonged heat spell.

 Sudden Weather Shift Hits Cities

Thursday evening saw a dramatic change across Raipur, Sarguja and Korba. Strong winds accompanied by rainfall swept through these districts, catching many residents off guard. In Korba, clouds lingered through the day before heavy spells began post-afternoon. 

Children were spotted sailing paper boats through waterlogged streets in several neighbourhoods. Sarguja witnessed intense showers late Thursday evening, while Durg also recorded significant rainfall, giving residents a break from the oppressive humidity.

 Temperature Drops Across Southern Districts

The past 24 hours have recorded a decline of up to 5 degrees Celsius in maximum temperatures across southern Chhattisgarh. Northern and central parts of the state, however, showed no major variation.

Rajnandgaon remained the hottest spot in the state at 43 degrees Celsius. Jagdalpur recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 23.1 degrees Celsius. 

According to sources in the meteorological department, the combination of moisture incursion and local conditions is accelerating the pre-monsoon setup.

 Two Weather Systems Driving the Change

Meteorologists point to multiple cyclonic circulations over the Bay of Bengal and northern India as key drivers. An active trough line is pulling moisture into the region, creating ideal conditions for the monsoon to advance.

"The systems are working in tandem. Humidity levels have risen noticeably, and thunderstorm activity will increase further," a weather official said on condition of anonymity.

 Alert Issued for Thunderstorms

The department has issued an alert for thunder showers, lightning strikes and dust storms across the state for Friday. Raipur is expected to remain partly cloudy with maximum temperatures hovering around 41 degrees Celsius and minimum near 26 degrees.

Officials advise farmers to plan agricultural activities accordingly and caution residents about potential waterlogging in low-lying areas.

 What Lies Ahead

With the monsoon window opening, authorities are monitoring river levels and drainage systems. The coming days will determine whether the advance remains on schedule or faces delays. For now, the pre-monsoon bursts have offered a glimpse of the larger shift ahead.