The Chhattisgarh government declared a statewide school holiday for Saturday, September 26, 2026, after heavy rain battered large parts of the state and flooded low‑lying villages. The decision was announced by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on X the day before, citing the safety of students as the top priority.
In his post, Mr. Sai explained that continuous rainfall could lead to waterlogging, rising river and stream levels, and transportation difficulties in several areas. He ordered the closure of all government, private and aided schools, emphasizing that no child should be exposed to risk. The CM also urged residents not to venture into water‑logged areas or swollen rivers.
Mr. Sai instructed district collectors to conduct relief and rescue operations with full vigilance, especially in the Bastar division, which comprises seven districts. He called for coordination among district administrations, police, urban local bodies, panchayats and other departments to provide immediate assistance. Officials were directed to monitor low‑lying villages and settlements near rivers and streams, and to ensure safe shelters, food, water, medicines and other essential services.
The state had received an average of 1,082.4 mm of rainfall between June 1 and September 25, 2026, 100.1 % of its 10‑year seasonal benchmark. Over the past 24 hours alone, the average rainfall was 52.8 mm. Balrampur recorded 1,527.7 mm (169.4 % of average) and Narayanpur 1,600.4 mm, while districts such as Surguja and Jashpur received below‑normal rainfall. A rain‑related death was reported in Kondagaon district when a farmer drowned in a flooded drain while fishing in a partially submerged paddy field.
