Raipur, May 24: Large parts of Chhattisgarh continue to reel under an intense heatwave as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued severe weather warnings for 18 districts, including capital Raipur and Bilaspur. The regional meteorological centre has forecast that the severe heatwave conditions will persist across central Chhattisgarh for the next five days, offering no immediate respite to citizens battling surging daytime temperatures.
Rajnandgaon emerged as the hottest city in the state on Saturday after the mercury touched 46°C, marking the highest temperature recorded in Chhattisgarh so far this summer season. Scorching, dry northwesterly winds coupled with completely dry weather conditions have significantly intensified discomfort across both urban and rural pockets.
Conversely, the state’s lowest minimum temperature was registered in northern Chhattisgarh’s Ambikapur at 22.6°C. While nighttime temperatures offer marginal relief in the northern plateau region, daytime readings across the plains are climbing sharply within hours of sunrise.
The Raipur Meteorological Centre has placed 18 districts under orange and yellow heatwave alerts to mobilize local administrations. The affected districts include Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Raigarh, Mungeli, Balodabazar-Bhatapara, Bemetara, Kabirdham, Rajnandgaon, Sarangarh-Bilaigarh, Sakti, Korba, Janjgir-Champa, Gariaband, Dhamtari, Mahasamund, Balod, and Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai.
Health authorities and weather scientists have advised residents in these high-alert zones to strictly avoid outdoor exposure during peak afternoon hours between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Local civic bodies have been asked to ensure adequate drinking water stations to mitigate the risk of heatstrokes.
According to official data, maximum temperatures recorded across major urban centers on Saturday highlighted the severe atmospheric heat load:
• Rajnandgaon: 46.0°C
• Bilaspur: 44.5°C
• Raipur: 44.3°C
• Jagdalpur: 43.1°C
• Ambikapur: 41.7°C
• Pendra Road: 41.6°C
Senior Meteorologist H P Chandra stated that the current dry weather spell is driven by a distinct cyclonic circulation hovering over south Bihar. This system is working in tandem with a north-south atmospheric trough extending from southwest Bihar through Chhattisgarh down to coastal Andhra Pradesh.
This meteorological alignment is facilitating the continuous influx of hot, dry northwesterly winds into the state, effectively locking in the thermal mass and sustaining the heatwave grid.
In the capital city of Raipur, the IMD has forecast clear skies for Sunday with severe heat expected from late morning onwards. Raipur’s maximum temperature is projected to settle close to 45°C, while the minimum temperature will hover around a humid 29°C, ensuring oppressive, uncomfortable conditions well into the night.