Heavy rainfall triggered by a deep depression over central India has pushed several rivers in Chhattisgarh close to or above danger levels, leading to flood-like conditions in multiple districts, damage to infrastructure and rescue operations in affected areas. While the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a gradual decline in rainfall intensity across the state from Friday, heavy rain is still expected at isolated places in southern Chhattisgarh over the next 24 hours.

The rising water level of the Mahanadi River has created flood-like conditions in Raigarh district, particularly in Pusaur block, where villages including Surajgarh, Singhpuri, Changhori, Baradoli, Parsapali and Khafrapali have been affected by overflowing river water.

Rivers Swell, Villages Cut Off

Continuous rainfall over the past two days has significantly increased water levels in several rivers across the state. In Raipur, the Kharun River is flowing above the danger mark, prompting authorities to closely monitor vulnerable areas.

In Bastar division, a damaged culvert on National Highway-130 has disrupted connectivity to several villages, while movement on the Aranpur-Jagargunda road in Dantewada has been suspended due to the threat of landslides.

Bridge Collapse and Canal Damage Raise Concerns

In Gariaband district, a bridge under construction across the Udanti River collapsed on Thursday following heavy rainfall. The bridge, reportedly being built at a cost of around ₹9 crore, suffered extensive structural damage before completion.

Meanwhile, in Kanker district, a canal project worth approximately ₹15.5 crore reportedly developed major damage during the first spell of monsoon rains, raising questions over construction quality.

Rescue Operations Continue

Rescue teams remained active across flood-affected districts.

In Arang, six members of a family trapped inside their house after floodwater entered their village were safely rescued by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) using motorboats.

In Gariaband's Suhagpur Gothan, a family, including three children aged five, three and two years, remained stranded for nearly four hours before personnel from the State Disaster Response Force evacuated them safely.

Bodies Recovered After Search Operations

Search teams recovered the body of a 10-year-old boy who had been swept away in the Dheki River in Surajpur district. The child had gone missing two days earlier, and the body was located nearly 20–25 kilometres downstream after an extensive search operation by DDRF and police teams.

In another incident, rescue personnel recovered the bodies of a deputy sarpanch and his wife who were swept away while attempting to cross a flooded stream in Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district on July 26. Their submerged vehicle was located after an intensive search operation.

Rainfall Pattern Remains Uneven

According to official rainfall data, Chhattisgarh has received 477.8 mm of rainfall between June 1 and July 29, against the seasonal normal of 544.6 mm, leaving the state with an overall rainfall deficit of around 12 per cent. However, the IMD continues to classify the state's rainfall as within the normal range.

Rainfall distribution has varied considerably across districts. Sarangarh-Bilaigarh has recorded the highest rainfall this season with 769.1 mm, around 76 per cent above normal, while several districts continue to report rainfall deficits ranging between 20 and 59 per cent.

Rainfall Likely to Ease

The Meteorological Department said the deep depression responsible for the recent spell of heavy rain is moving westward, and rainfall intensity is expected to reduce gradually across most parts of the state.

However, heavy rainfall remains possible at isolated locations in southern Chhattisgarh over the next 24 hours. Authorities have advised residents in low-lying areas and along riverbanks to remain alert as water levels continue to fluctuate.

Continuous heavy rainfall has disrupted normal life across Chhattisgarh, with rivers and streams overflowing, flood-like conditions reported in several districts, and weather-related incidents claiming multiple lives. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning across many parts of the state over the next 48 hours.

Among the major incidents, a 55-year-old man drowned while attempting to cross a swollen stream in Gariaband district, while five people were killed in separate lightning strikes across the state.

Man Swept Away While Crossing Stream

The victim, identified as Thanwar Yadav (55) of Sahaspur village, was swept away while crossing the overflowing Sargi stream in Gariaband district. According to local residents, he was reportedly under the influence of alcohol when he entered the flooded stream.

His body was recovered nearly five kilometres away near Khuteri village after an extensive search.

Sikaser Dam Water Released

Authorities have released 15,000 cusecs of water from the Sikaser Dam, prompting an alert for villages situated along the Pairi River.

District administrations have advised residents living near riverbanks and low-lying areas to remain vigilant and avoid venturing into flooded streams or waterlogged roads.

Lightning Claims Five Lives

Heavy rain has also been accompanied by widespread lightning strikes.

According to officials:

• Three villagers lost their lives in Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district.

• A farmer was killed by lightning in Surajpur.

• A woman labourer died in Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi.

At least 11 other people sustained injuries in separate lightning-related incidents and are undergoing treatment.

Search Continues for Missing Couple

Rescue teams are continuing their search for former sarpanch Devnarayan Patel and his wife, whose car was swept away in the overflowing Lat Nala in Sarangarh-Barmkela two days ago.

Despite continuous rescue operations, the couple remains missing.

Flood-Like Situation in Gariaband

Several areas of Gariaband district are witnessing flood-like conditions following incessant rainfall.

Water has been flowing above the Kholapara stream on the Chhindola-Amamora road, cutting off road connectivity between the district headquarters and villages including Amamora, Odh, Kukrar and Nagarar.

In another incident, a motorcyclist attempting to cross the flooded stream lost control of his vehicle but was rescued by local residents before being swept away.

Rain Likely to Continue

The Meteorological Department has predicted that most parts of Chhattisgarh will continue to receive light to moderate rainfall, while isolated areas may witness heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning over the next two days.

In Raipur, the forecast indicates cloudy skies with intermittent heavy showers. The maximum temperature is expected to remain around 27°C, while the minimum may hover near 23°C.

The highest maximum temperature in the state on Tuesday was 30.8°C in Durg, while Pendra Road recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 21.6°C.

Deep Depression Driving Heavy Rain

Meteorologists said the ongoing spell is being driven by a deep depression over Odisha and adjoining regions, which is moving towards northern Odisha, southern Jharkhand and northern Chhattisgarh. An active monsoon trough is also supplying abundant moisture, resulting in widespread rainfall across the state.

Authorities have urged people to avoid crossing flooded rivers, streams and causeways, remain indoors during thunderstorms, and follow local weather advisories until conditions improve.

Local police on Friday recovered the bodies of a husband and wife from a fresh grave at the village cremation ground and arrested three nephews on suspicion of murdering the couple and burying them in sacks, officials said.

Discovery at cremation ground
Villagers discovered the fresh grave late on Thursday evening while preparing to bury another deceased resident, police said. Neighbours noticed disturbed earth and recently placed shrouds and flagged the spot as suspicious. That prompted questions about two villagers who had been missing for several days, according to initial reports.

Missing couple identified
Officials later confirmed the remains were those of 45-year-old Rajaram Netam and his 40-year-old wife, Asho Bai Netam of Gariba village. Both had been reported missing after relatives could not locate them for several days, a senior officer at Sobha police station said.

Alleged killings and burial
Sources familiar with the investigation said the couple were allegedly beaten to death on June 6 with an axe and sticks by three nephews — identified as Lakhiram Netam, Raghuram Netam and Nakul Ram Netam, aged between 32 and 36. After the attack, the suspects reportedly stuffed the bodies into sacks and buried them at the village cremation ground during the night, intending to hide the crime, police said.

Tip-off to panchayat, confession
The case came to light after villagers assembled for a funeral on June 11 and noticed the fresh grave. According to the station house officer, one of the accused later told the sarpanch the truth, prompting a formal complaint and police action. “We reached the cremation ground, had the grave opened and recovered the remains,” the SHO said. The bodies were sent to the Raipur forensic laboratory for further examination.

Arrests and investigation
Police arrested the three nephews and have taken them into custody for interrogation. “We are recording their statements and piecing together the sequence of events,” the SHO said. Forensic samples and a post-mortem will help establish cause and time of death, he added. Investigators have registered a murder case and are examining family dynamics, motives and any prior disputes.

Family background
Neighbours told reporters that Rajaram and Asho Bai lived in an extended household with several siblings and relatives. The couple had no children, villagers said, and recurring disputes reportedly existed between Rajaram and some members of his extended family. Local residents said tensions had occasionally flared over household matters, though they expressed shock at the alleged violence.

Ground reaction
Villagers expressed outrage and alarm after the graves were unearthed. “We have never seen anything like this here,” said one resident who asked not to be named. The discovery has raised concerns about safety and trust within the hamlet, prompting the gram panchayat to call for swift police action.

Forensic and legal next steps
The recovered remains have been sent to the forensic lab in Raipur for autopsy and DNA confirmation, officials said. The forensic team will test for cause of death and any injuries consistent with blunt-force trauma. Police said they would await the forensic report before filing final charges and producing the accused before a magistrate.

Wider implications
Incidents of intra-family violence and clandestine burials are rare in the district but tend to provoke strong local reactions, officials noted. The case is likely to prompt closer scrutiny of family disputes in the area and may lead to additional arrests if the probe uncovers accomplices.

What happens next
Police said they expect to complete primary forensic procedures within days and will share details with the district magistrate and local administration. Meanwhile, investigators are re‑interviewing villagers, tracing movements of the accused during the week of June 6 and seeking any CCTV or witness accounts that could corroborate the timeline.