RAIPUR: Heavy rains accompanied by hailstorms lashed several districts of CG on Friday. Hailstorms with thunder and lightning were reported in Raipur, Surguja, Bilaspur, and Durg divisions. There was a significant fall in temperature in the capital city Raipur, Durg, Jagdalpur, and others.

Meteorologist H P Chandra said, “The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert in the areas adjoining Surajpur, Balrampur, Surguja, Jaspur, Pendra Road, Kabirdham, Mahasamund, Durg, Raipur, Balod, Dhamtari, Kanker, Narayanpur, Kondagaon. A yellow alert was issued in Korea, Bilaspur, Mungeli, Janjgir, Bemetara, Balodbazar, and Rajnandgaon areas”. 

According to IMD Meteorologist HP Chandra, the weather in the state would most likely persist till March 20. “A Western Disturbance is coming, due to which an induced cyclonic circulation has formed over Rajasthan, due to the combined effect of both, the region is getting abundant moisture from the Bay of Bengal. Only one Dronika has passed from Karnataka to Jharkhand via North Chhattisgarh, due to which light to moderate rain conditions have developed in some places in the state today,” he added.

Meanwhile, two girls in Kondagoan lost their lives after being struck by lightning said police on Sunday. The incident took place on Saturday in Chilputi village under Kondagaon police station limits when the victims, identified as Radha Markam and Monika Nag, both aged 10 years, had gone to collect tamarind fruits, a police official here said.

The duo was busy collecting tamarind on the outskirts of the village when heavy rainfall started and lightning struck, causing serious burn injuries, he said.