WIDESPREAD rainfall continued across Chhattisgarh during the last 24 hours, with many places recording heavy to very heavy rain under the influence of an active weather system over the Bay of Bengal. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), moderate to heavy rainfall occurred at most places in the State, while several areas witnessed very heavy showers. The weather department said that a depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha-West Bengal coast has moved westnorthwestward and is expected to cross the north Odisha coast between Chandbali and Digha near Balasore. Thereafter, it is likely to move across north Odisha and north Chhattisgarh during the next 24 hours. A seasonal trough extending from southwest Rajasthan to the east-central Bay of Bengal through Madhya Pradesh, north Chhattisgarh and north Odisha remains active. In addition, a shear zone along latitude 21°N between 3.1 km and 7.6 km above mean sea level is also influencing weather conditions over the region. Rajnandgaon recorded the highest rainfall of 114 mm among major reporting stations, while Durg received 66 mm rainfall. Ambikapur recorded the State’s highest maximum temperature at 30.8°C, whereas Rajnandgaon complexes for doctors and staff, along with other key infrastructure works. Highlighting the Centre’s continued support to Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Sai said that the Union Government had extended positive assistance for every major proposal, ranging from approval of the DM Cardiac Course to several other health projects. He also expressed hope that Chhattisgarh would soon receive an All India Institute of Ayurveda, which would provide fresh recognition to the State’s rich medicinal plant resources and Ayurveda.

 

Sai further said that Bastar, now steadily emerging from the shadow of Left Wing Extremism, is progressing rapidly on the path of development. He noted that the Health Department has reached remote areas, conducting health screenings and providing treatment to lakhs of people through door-to-door outreach. In his address, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao described the projects, valued at more than Rs 103 crore, as a historic milestone for the healthcare sector. He said the government is consistently working towards expanding quality medical education and healthcare services. Directing the Public Works Department and implementing agencies, he instructed them to complete all projects ahead of schedule while maintaining the highest quality standards. Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal said that Chhattisgarh is witnessing unprecedented transformation in healthcare and medical education. He highlighted the approval of five new medical colleges, a significant increase in nursing colleges, expansion of physiotherapy colleges, and large-scale initiatives to promote yoga and naturopathy. He informed that construction of a 100-bed Yoga and Naturopathy Hospital and Research Centre spread over 10 acres is also progressing. Jaiswal further said the State Government has revived and commenced the long-pending construction of medical colleges at Korba, Kanker and Mahasamund, while the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS), Bilaspur, is undergoing major upgradation. He added that the DM Cardiac Course has already commenced and Chhattisgarh’s second-largest Heart Centre will soon be established in Jagdalpur. MLA Purandar Mishra, CGMSC Chairman Deepak Mhaske, Health Secretary Amit Kataria, Commissioner of Medical Education Ritesh Agrawal, Dean of Pt Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Medical College Dr Vivek Chaudhary, and Superintendent Dr Santosh Sonkar were present on the occasion.