CHHATTISGARH faces another spell of intense monsoon weather, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing its highest-level rainfall warning for parts of northern Chhattisgarh after exceptionally heavy rain was recorded across several districts on Monday. The IMD rainfall map recorded 290 mm in Balrampur-Ramanujganj, the State’s highest figure, up to 8.30 am on August 31. ManendragarhChirmiri-Bharatpur received 168.1 mm, Raipur 131.8 mm and Surajpur 122.2 mm, placing these districts among the day’s major rainfall centres. In its warning issued at 12.25 pm, Meteorological Centre, Raipur, forecast very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Balrampur, Koriya and Surajpur during the next 24 hours. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Balodabazar, Bilaspur, GaurellaPendra-Marwahi, Janjgir-Champa, Jashpur, Korba, Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Mungeli, Raigarh, Sakti, Sarangarh-Bilaigarh and Surguja. Raipur and Mahasamund may receive isolated heavy rainfall. The threat is expected to persist during the subsequent 48-hour period.

 

IMD has forecast very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Bilaspur and Mungeli. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely across a wider belt encompassing Balodabazar, Balrampur, Bemetara, Durg, Gaurella-PendraMarwahi, Janjgir-Champa, Jashpur, Kabirdham, KhairagarhChhuikhadan-Gandai, Korba, Koriya, Mahasamund, Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Raigarh, Raipur, Rajnandgaon, Sakti, Sarangarh-Bilaigarh, Surajpur and Surguja. Kanker and Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki may receive isolated heavy rain. IMD warned that intense rainfall could trigger slippery roads, urban waterlogging, traffic disruption, reduced visibility and flooding of low-lying localities. Low bridges over canals may require closure, while agricultural fields could face inundation. Under IMD classification, extremely heavy rainfall means 204.5 mm or more within 24 hours, while very heavy rainfall ranges between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm. Heavy rainfall is classified between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm.