By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand remained in the grip of intense monsoon showers on Thursday with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert for seven districts, warning of extremely heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning even as the Southwest Monsoon completed its advance over the entire country.
The IMD has forecast extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital and Champawat districts. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and very intense to extremely intense spells of rain are also likely in these districts.
As a precautionary measure, schools remained closed in the affected districts while the authorities urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from rivers, streams and other vulnerable areas.
A house collapsed in the Surkanda area of Tehri district following heavy rainfall. However, no casualties were reported.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms has also been forecast at isolated places in the remaining districts of the state.
With incessant rain continuing for the past 24 hours, the water level in the Ganga and several of its tributaries has been rising steadily across Uttarakhand, prompting authorities to closely monitor the situation. Residents, particularly those living in low-lying and landslide-prone areas, have been advised to remain vigilant.
Heavy rain also triggered landslides at several locations, blocking a number of highways and rural roads. Road-clearing operations were underway to restore traffic.
Meanwhile, the IMD announced that the Southwest Monsoon on Thursday advanced into the remaining parts of Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, marking its arrival across the entire country.
According to the weather office, a well-marked low-pressure area over southwest Uttar Pradesh and adjoining regions is likely to keep weather conditions active, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall expected over Uttarakhand on July 9 and 10 and West Uttar Pradesh on July 9.
The IMD, however, said rainfall activity is likely to reduce significantly over central India, including Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, during the next few days.
During the past 24 hours, extremely heavy rainfall (21 cm or more) was recorded at isolated places in Uttarakhand, West Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Maharashtra and Meghalaya, underscoring the intensity of the ongoing monsoon spell.