India, July 7 -- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rainfall across several parts of the country, with heavy to extremely heavy showers expected in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and other states as the southwest monsoon remains active.

Mumbai, which witnessed intense rainfall over the past two days, received a brief respite on Tuesday morning. However, the IMD has retained an Orange Alert for the city, warning of heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by gusty winds of up to 70 kmph. Schools and colleges in Mumbai remain closed as authorities continue monitoring the situation.

The heavy rain has severely affected normal life in Maharashtra. Train services on the Mumbai-Pune route wer...