Continuous rainfall across Chhattisgarh has claimed three lives in separate weather-related incidents, even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast widespread rainfall across the state over the next four days. Two young sisters were killed after the wall of an old mud house collapsed in Bemetara district, while an 18-year-old youth lost his life in a lightning strike in Sukma.

According to the Meteorological Centre, the southwest monsoon is advancing steadily and is expected to cover the remaining parts of Chhattisgarh within the next two to three days. Heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is likely in several districts during this period.

The most tragic incident occurred in Raurpur village of Bemetara district, where an old mud wall collapsed following overnight rainfall. The wall fell on two sisters, Vanshika Kosle (12) and Radhika Kosle (9), who were playing in the courtyard of their house on Sunday morning. Both girls sustained severe head injuries and were rushed for medical assistance, but doctors declared them dead. A woman was also injured in the accident.

Family members said the house owner, Chandraprakash Kosle, had recently shifted to a newly constructed home. However, the old mud structure had not been demolished, and continuous rainfall weakened the wall, eventually leading to the fatal collapse.

In another weather-related tragedy, lightning struck a group of young men in Kukanar village of Sukma district. The victims had reportedly taken shelter under a tamarind tree after finishing work in the fields when a thunderstorm developed on Sunday afternoon.

The lightning strike injured five people. Eighteen-year-old Ajay Nag succumbed to his injuries while being taken to hospital, while the remaining four victims are undergoing treatment. Local authorities have appealed to residents to avoid taking shelter beneath trees or remaining in open fields during thunderstorms.

The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall across most parts of Chhattisgarh on Monday, with isolated areas likely to witness heavy showers accompanied by thunder and lightning. In Raipur, cloudy skies and intermittent rainfall are expected, with temperatures likely to range between 27°C and 38°C.

The monsoon has already covered more than 18 districts, including Raipur, Durg, Dhamtari, Gariaband, Mahasamund, Balodabazar, Bemetara, Kabirdham, Rajnandgaon, Kanker, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Bastar, Dantewada, Sukma and Bijapur. The remaining districts, including Bilaspur, Korba, Jashpur, Surguja, Janjgir-Champa, Raigarh and Mungeli, are expected to receive the official monsoon onset within the next 48 hours.

Despite the arrival of monsoon, rainfall across the state continues to remain significantly below normal. Rajnandgaon has recorded one of the sharpest deficits, receiving only 8.3 mm of rainfall against the seasonal normal of 100.3 mm, representing a 92 percent shortfall. Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki has reported a 95 percent rainfall deficit, while Balodabazar and Sakti have recorded deficits exceeding 80 percent.

Central Chhattisgarh remains among the worst-affected regions in terms of rainfall deficiency. Raipur has received only 25.3 mm against the normal 90.1 mm, while Durg, Dhamtari and Mahasamund have also recorded substantially below-normal precipitation.

The weather department has advised residents to remain alert during thunderstorms, avoid unsafe structures, and strictly follow lightning safety guidelines as rainfall activity intensifies across the state over the coming days.