Panchkula, July 29 -- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rainfall across Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir over the next few days, with isolated spells of heavy to very heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds likely in several areas till the first week of August.

According to the IMD's morning bulletin, the active monsoon conditions are being driven by a deep depression over north interior Odisha and adjoining south Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. The weather system is moving westwards and is expected to continue across north interior Odisha and north Chhattisgarh during the next 24 hours, enhancing rainfall activity over large parts of north India.

In Delhi, ...