City wakes to showers and thunder; IMD issues warning for hail, lighting

Raipur: A spell of rain, thunderstorms and hail is set to sweep across Chhattisgarh over the next two days as multiple weather systems become active, bringing a slight dip in temperatures and relief from the heat, even as humidity remains high. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecastthat while nosignificant changein maximum temperatures is expected in the next 24 hours, a dip of 1°C to 3°C is likely over the following two days. Active weather systems across the state will drive this cooling trend. While daytime temperatures will remainrelatively stablefor now, a slight chill isanticipatedin the coming days.The weather change is attributed to a western disturbance currently active as a cyclonic circulation over central Pakistan and adjoining Punjab, extending between 3.1 km and 4.5 km above sea level.A trough line also extends from Gangetic West Bengal to Telangana, passing through Chhattisgarh at an altitude of 0.9 km. Furthermore, another cyclonic circulation persists over the West-Central Bay of Bengal and south coastal Andhra Pradesh.The Meteorological Centre in Raipur has issued a warning for thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds, lightning, and hailstorms at isolated places in the state. Hail is expected to primarily impact districts in central and north Chhattisgarh.Maximum temperatures across the state are expected to drop due to the prevailing weather conditions. Rainfall is likely to cover all divisions of Chhattisgarh onMonday and Tuesday. By April8, the weather activity will be mostly confined to south Chhattisgarh.Authorities haveadvised residents totake necessary precautions against lightning and hailstorms during this period.Meanwhile, several parts of north and central Chhattisgarh, including Raipur, Bilaspur, andRaigarh,witnessedheavy rain and thundershowers on Sunday morning. While the change in weather brought relief from the intense heat, residents in these areas continue to face high humidity levels.Tragedy struck inKondagaondistrict on Saturday when five cattle died after being hit by lightning. The incident occurred in the forest area ofBetbedavillage.Light to moderate rainfall was recorded across the state in the last 24 hours.Nangurreceived30 mmof rain, whileJagdalpurrecorded10 mm.The Met departmentindicatedthat while maximum temperatures may not change significantly in the next 24 hours.