Cyclone Arnab’s lingering impact severely disrupted life across Chhattisgarh on Thursday, with heavy rain and strong winds damaging a house in Kondagaon, flattening standing paddy fields in agricultural districts and prompting precautionary closures of educational institutions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Bijapur, Bastar and Dantewada under orange alert, with yellow alerts reported for 22 other districts. Schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres remained closed in several districts under local administrative orders. At Gaurgaon village near Keshkal in Kondagaon district, a tree fell onto a house during strong winds, obstructing movement. No casualties were reported.

 

Balod experienced intermittent rainfall for nearly 24 hours, while overnight showers in Jagdalpur gave way to gusty winds and overcast skies on Thursday morning. For farmers, the weather has struck at a vulnerable stage of the agricultural calendar. Persistent rain flattened standing paddy in Kawardha and Balodabazar, raising fears of harvesting delays and deterioration in grain quality. Farmers also expressed concern over discolouration of ripe grain and pest infestation in crops yet to mature. In Kawardha, farmer J L Verma gave voice to the distress through a Chhattisgarhi song lamenting the sight of his fallen paddy crop.

 

An agricultural weather advisory issued on October 29 by Department of Agricultural Meteorology at Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV), Raipur, warned of moderate rainfall across much of Chhattisgarh, with heavy to very heavy showers at isolated locations. Thunderstorms could bring lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph. The advisory said Arnab had weakened into a depression over southern Chhattisgarh and adjoining southern Odisha, and was expected to weaken further while moving northwards. Farmers were advised to defer harvesting paddy and other ready crops for two to three days, move already harvested produce into safe storage, drain excess water from fields and avoid fertiliser or pesticide applications during rain. The department also recommended photographing crop losses, preserving records and informing insurers or agricultural authorities. Vegetable growers were urged to secure vulnerable plants, while livestock owners were advised to arrange dry shelter and clean water. District administrations are expected to monitor weather conditions and reports of damage.