RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh has received 5% excess rainfall this monsoon season, with Balrampur district recording the highest surplus at 126% above normal. However, over half a dozen districts are facing a rainfall deficit, and Bemetara has the sharpest shortfall at 63% below normal.The local meteorological department has issued a red alert for the next 48 hours, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall across the state. Extremely heavy rain is likely at one or two locations. As of 6 July, the state recorded an average rainfall of 270 mm against a normal of 258 mm.Ambikapur, the divisional headquarters of Surguja division in North Chhattisgarh, received very heavy rainfall of 173 mm on Sunday. Heavy rainfall was also reported from 21 other locations across the state.

Weather expert B K Chindhalore stated that three places in Balrampur district, one in Jashpur, two in Bilaspur, two in Korba district, two in Raigarh, one in Sakti, four in Sarangarh-Bilaigarh, five in Surajpur, and one in Surguja received heavy to very heavy rainfall.Surguja division is expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next 24-48 hours. Rajnandgaon, Durg, and Raipur are likely to experience heavy rainfall in a day or two.

Balrampur has so far received 427 mm rainfall, followed by Raigarh with 417 mm, Bijapur with 397 mm, and Bastar with 394 mm as of 6 July. Extremely heavy rainfall is predicted in Sakti, Janjgir-Champa, Baloda Bazar, Mahasamund, Gariaband, and Balod districts of Chhattisgarh in the next 48 hours.Torrential rains since Sunday morning disrupted normal life across Chhattisgarh. Several districts reported waterlogging, overflowing rivers, and damaged infrastructure.

Bilaspur, Gariaband, Korba, and Mahasamund are among the worst-affected areas.Raipur experienced intermittent rain since Saturday night. Gariaband district, especially the Rajim-Fingeshwar region, also received heavy showers, causing water accumulation in agricultural fields. Gariaband has recorded over 200 mm of rainfall in the last 15 days.