Raipur, July 1 (IANS) Overnight rains in almost all the 18 districts of parched Chhattisgarh have revived prospects of a good paddy output.
The government has set a target of 65.5 million tonnes paddy output this season, based on the 57 million tonnes yield last season.

However, the delayed monsoon, which normally hits the state by June 10, threatened to derail the production target.

According to the metrological centre director M.L. Sahu, Chhattisgarh recorded an average-to-heavy rain Tuesday night with Raipur, the state capital, receiving six centimetres of rainfall.

Good rains are expected in the next 48 hours across the state.

Reports from paddy-rich districts like Raipur, Bilaspur, Raigarh and Durg said farmers welcomed the first monsoon rains by beating drums and distributing sweets.