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.