Chhattisgarh is likely to receive heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at several places on October 28 and 29 as the impact of Cyclone Arnab over the Bay of Bengal continues, prompting the administration to take precautionary measures and issue an advisory to farmers.
In a statement issued by the state government, officials said all government and private schools, colleges and other educational institutions in Raipur district will remain closed on Thursday, in view of the possibility of heavy rain, strong winds and adverse weather conditions.
Farmers have also been asked to ensure proper drainage in fields to prevent waterlogging and postpone sowing of rabi crops such as wheat, gram and lentil until the weather improves. According to an advisory issued by the agro-meteorology department of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, moderate rainfall of 15-64 mm is likely at most places on October 28, while some areas may receive 64-115 mm of rain and one or two places could receive extremely heavy rainfall of 115-204 mm. The weather system is likely to affect the state through November 1, according to the advisory.
Sowing of these crops can be taken up in the first week of November, the advisory said.
On October 29, heavy to extremely heavy rain is likely at isolated places in Bastar, Balrampur-Ramanujganj, Surajpur, Koriya and Korba districts, while several other districts, including Raipur, Durg, Dhamtari, Mahasamund, Bilaspur and Raigarh, may receive light to moderate rainfall. Balodabazar-Bhatapara, Mahasamund, Raipur, Durg, Balod, Dhamtari, Kanker, Narayanpur, Bastar, Bijapur, Dantewada and Sukma are among the districts where heavy to extremely heavy rainfall has been forecast on Wednesday.
