Raipur, October 29: Severe cyclonic storm Arnab weakened into a depression over southern Chhattisgarh and adjoining southern Odisha on Thursday, bringing widespread rainfall across the state, with moderate to extremely heavy showers reported in several districts.
The system was centred near latitude 19.4°N and longitude 81.9°E at 8.30 am on October 29, according to the Department of Agricultural Meteorology at Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV), Raipur. It is likely to move northwards and weaken further into a well-marked low-pressure area over northern Chhattisgarh and adjoining northwestern Odisha by Thursday evening.
While the system has weakened, unsettled weather is expected to continue over the next few days. Light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph, is forecast at many places between October 30 and November 2. Isolated pockets of central Chhattisgarh experienced strong winds of 50-60 kmph on Thursday.
On October 29, moderate to extremely heavy rainfall was reported across several districts, including Surguja, Surajpur, Balrampur-Ramanujganj, Jashpur, Koriya, Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Korba, Janjgir-Champa, Baloda Bazar, Mahasamund, Raigarh, Sakti and Sarangarh-Bilaigarh.
Other districts, including Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Rajnandgaon, Dhamtari, Gariaband, Kanker, Bastar, Dantewada, Bijapur and Sukma, experienced light to moderate rainfall, with heavy spells and thunderstorms in some areas.
The wet spell is expected to persist on October 30 and 31 across northern, central and southern parts of the state. On November 1, Bastar, Kondagaon and Sukma may receive light to moderate rainfall at many places, with heavy showers, lightning and gusty winds likely at isolated locations.
On November 2, similar conditions are forecast in Baloda Bazar, Sarangarh-Bilaigarh, Mahasamund, Gariaband, Kondagaon, Bastar, Bijapur, Dantewada and Sukma districts.
Farmers advised to postpone harvesting, protect crops
With rainfall expected to continue, the agricultural meteorology department has advised farmers to take precautionary measures to minimise damage to standing crops, harvested produce, horticultural crops and livestock.
Farmers with mature standing crops have been advised to suspend harvesting for the next two to four days until weather conditions improve. Harvested produce should be shifted immediately to safe, elevated locations and covered with tarpaulins, with proper drainage ensured underneath to prevent water accumulation. Drainage channels in fields should also be cleared to facilitate the quick removal of excess water.
Sowing of utera crops, including lathyrus and linseed, should be postponed for a few days. Rabi sowing should begin in the first week of November once the weather clears.
Farmers covered under crop insurance who suffer losses have been advised to inform their insurance companies or the agriculture department promptly. They should preserve photographs of damaged crops and relevant documents and comply with the prescribed deadlines for filing claims.
Horticulture, livestock precautions
The department has advised farmers to harvest vegetables and horticultural crops nearing maturity and transport them to markets without delay. Creeper vegetables such as bitter gourd and bottle gourd should be supported with stakes, while banana plants bearing flowers or fruit should be secured with bamboo poles to prevent damage from strong winds.
Sowing of rabi vegetables, including cauliflower, broccoli, beetroot, late cucumber and late bitter gourd, is recommended in the first week of November.
Livestock should be kept in dry, secure shelters, and animals must not be left under trees during thunderstorms. Fodder and clean drinking water should be stored safely away from rain. Farmers have also been advised to consult veterinarians immediately if animals show symptoms such as sudden lethargy, loss of appetite, diarrhoea or breathing difficulties.
With the depression expected to weaken further, the coming days will remain crucial for farmers seeking to protect standing crops and harvested produce from continued rain and gusty winds.
