Patiala, July 2 -- Weather office issues a seven-day yellow alert for thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and spells of moderate to heavy rain at isolated places.

Rains lashed parts of Punjab on Thursday, signalling the entry of the southwest monsoon into the state and bringing much-needed relief from a prolonged heatwave and humid conditions.

With widespread cloud cover, maximum temperatures fell sharply across the state, leading to a significant drop in electricity demand.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its forecast on Thursday, said, "With favourable atmospheric conditions prevailing, the monsoon will advance rapidly and cover the whole state within the next two to three days."

The weather office also issued a yell...