Raipur, Dec 30: Temperatures across Chhattisgarh continue to fall, with cold conditions, dense fog and deteriorating air quality affecting daily life in several parts of the state. The situation is particularly severe in the capital Raipur, where the Air Quality Index (AQI) has climbed close to 350, raising serious health concerns.
According to experts, high AQI levels significantly increase the risk of respiratory and other serious illnesses. Industrial activities, heavy movement of diesel vehicles, dust from poorly maintained roads and the burning of crop residue in fields are cited as the main contributors to the worsening air quality. Patients suffering from respiratory ailments are facing increased discomfort.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a cold wave warning for the state, stating that cold wave conditions are likely to persist until December 31. While the minimum temperatures are expected to rise by 2–3 degrees Celsius over the next five days, the overall cold conditions are likely to continue.
Jagdalpur recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state at 29.4 degrees Celsius, while Ambikapur registered the lowest minimum temperature at around 4 degrees Celsius. In urban areas, minimum temperatures have dropped to nearly 7–8 degrees Celsius. In hilly regions located at around 1,200 feet above sea level, a thin layer of frost was observed. Frost cover was also reported from Amamora and Odh villages, where the minimum temperature hovered around 4 degrees Celsius.
In Manendragarh, the absence of night shelters has forced several homeless and needy people to sleep in the open, with no proper arrangements in place for travellers.
Elsewhere in the state, Dantewada recorded a minimum temperature of 11 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 29 degrees Celsius. Balrampur saw temperatures ranging between 8 and 23 degrees Celsius, Rajnandgaon between 10 and 27 degrees Celsius, Kawardha between 11 and 26 degrees Celsius, and Manendragarh between 7 and 25 degrees Celsius.
The weather across Chhattisgarh is steadily turning colder, especially in the north-central regions, where foggy conditions are becoming more frequent. The IMD has warned that some districts may experience cold wave conditions over the next 24 hours. Despite a slight rise in night temperatures expected over the coming days, the chill is unlikely to ease significantly.
The Meteorological Department has also clarified that no major weather system is currently active over the region, ruling out the possibility of rainfall in the near future. Dry weather is expected to prevail, though cold mornings and evenings will continue.
In the Surguja division, severe cold conditions persist. On Monday, Ambikapur recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the state at 4.8 degrees Celsius, while Jagdalpur remained the warmest with a maximum of 29.4 degrees Celsius.
The IMD has forecast dense fog in Raipur on Tuesday, which may reduce visibility. The capital is expected to record a maximum temperature of around 27 degrees Celsius and a minimum of about 12 degrees Celsius, with the cold being felt more intensely during early mornings and late nights.
