Mussoorie, June 29 -- India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for several districts of Uttarakhand, forecasting heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds over the next 24 hours, while urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel in vulnerable areas. The alert, issued by the Meteorological Centre, Dehradun at 1.45 pm on Sunday, will remain in effect until 1.45 pm on Monday. According to the IMD, heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds with speeds of 30-40 kmph is likely at isolated places in Almora, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat, Dehradun, Nainital, Pauri Garhwal, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal and Uttarkashi districts. Localities likely to witness intense weather include Devprayag, Doiwala, Lohaghat, Munsiyari, Kapkot, Kotdwar, Tanakpur, Ranikhet, Sonprayag, Karnaprayag, Bhatwari, Purola and Haldwani, besides surrounding areas. The IMD has warned that the weather conditions could reduce visibility, disrupt transport and trigger landslides in vulnerable stretches of the hills. Residents have been advised to avoid open areas and not take shelter under trees during thunderstorms due to the risk of lightning strikes. Authorities have also urged people to avoid non-essential travel on mountain roads until weather conditions improve. The IMD said the active monsoon trough currently extends from the North Arabian Sea through Surat, Indore, Mandla, Daltonganj and Motihari before reaching the Himalayan foothills. IMD officials expect favourable conditions for further advancement of the southwest monsoon over Uttarakhand and adjoining regions during the next two to three days. Rainfall remained scattered across the state during the past 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Sunday....