AFTER the weeklong steady showers covering the entire State giving respite to the rain deficit districts and flooding many areas, the sudden stinging sunrays again reminded people of the pleasant conditions amidst light drizzles.

With the MeT Department issuing yellow alert and warning of thunderstorm likely at isolated places over the state on August 18 followed with heavy rainfall along with thunderstorm expected to occur at isolated places over the state on August 19. After the two-day yellow alert, the intensity of rainfall is expected to further intensify with the warning of ‘Orange Alert’ stating of heavy to very heavy rainfall very likely at isolated places over State on August 20 and 21.

Though the warnings of heavy rainfall at isolated places, the rainfall forecast informed of widespread showers from August 19 to 21. Meanwhile, heavily rain deficient districts were blessed with adequate showers to restructure the farming activities and the four-day warning will further boost the process. The state has received an average rainfall of 927.5mm against the normal of 784.5mm recording an access of 18 per cent from June 1 to August 17.

However, the gradual increase in intensity of rainfall activities across the state in the current season, Bijapur district has received highest average of 2037.6mm against the normal of 932.6mm recording 118 per cent extra rainfall.

Similarly, the districts of Balod, Bastar, Dantewada, Dhamtari, Janjgir, Kanker, Kondagaon and Narayanpur has already crossed the 1000mm mark while 8 districts are close to crossing the 1000mm mark with over 900mm average rainfall received upto August 17. But, Surguja district still maintains the highest rain deficient district with the deficiency level of 55 per cent rains.

The state is expected to receive light to medium rainfall along with thunderstorm at one or two places on August 18. Sky over Raipur will be partly cloudy with thunderstorm along with rainfall at some places in the evening or night hours on Thursday