The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rainfall across many parts of the country over the next few days, with heavy to extremely heavy rain likely in several states. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are also expected in many regions, while heatwave conditions are likely to continue in parts of eastern and northern India.Southwest Monsoon likely to advance furtherThe IMD said conditions remain favourable for the further advance of the Southwest Monsoon into more parts of the North Arabian Sea, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, the remaining parts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar, besides some areas of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand over the next three to four days.Heavy rain forecast for North IndiaRain activity is expected to increase over several northern states during the coming days.Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is likely over Jammu and Kashmir from 30 June to 1 July.Himachal Pradesh is expected to receive widespread rain from 30 June to 1 July, while scattered showers are likely until 29 June.Uttarakhand may witness widespread rainfall from 29 June to 1 July, with isolated heavy rainfall also likely during the same period.East Uttar Pradesh is expected to receive widespread rain from 30 June to 1 July, while scattered rainfall may continue until 29 June.Haryana, Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan are likely to witness scattered rainfall over the coming days.Thunderstorm and gusty wind warningThe IMD has warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds across several parts of North India.Wind speeds of 40–50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, are likely over parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on different days through 1 July.Duststorm activity is also likely over West Rajasthan.Central India to receive widespread rainfallSeveral parts of Central India are expected to receive significant rainfall over the next few days.East and West Madhya Pradesh may witness scattered rainfall until 1 July.Vidarbha is likely to receive widespread rainfall on 28 and 29 June.Chhattisgarh is expected to witness widespread rainfall from 27 June to 1 July.Heavy rainfall is likely over Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh on different days.Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and strong winds are also expected across these regions.East India weather forecastEastern India is expected to receive widespread rainfall over the coming days.Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha are likely to witness widespread rainfall from 28 June to 1 July.Gangetic West Bengal may receive widespread rainfall from 29 June to 1 July.Heavy rainfall is likely over Bihar between 26 and 30 June.Odisha may witness heavy rainfall from 28 June to 1 July.Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, with extremely heavy rainfall likely over northern parts between 27 and 29 June.Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are also likely across the region.Northeast India likely to witness very heavy rainRainfall is expected to remain intense across the Northeast.Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura are likely to receive widespread rainfall through 1 July.Very heavy rainfall is likely over Arunachal Pradesh between 27 and 29 June.Assam and Meghalaya may receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, with extremely heavy rainfall likely on 28 June.West India weather updateThe IMD has forecast continued rainfall across western parts of the country.Konkan and Goa are likely to receive widespread rainfall until 1 July.Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada may witness scattered rainfall from 27 June onwards.Gujarat region and Saurashtra & Kutch are likely to receive scattered rainfall from 25 June to 1 July.Heavy rainfall is likely over Konkan & Goa, Madhya Maharashtra and Coastal Karnataka on different days.Very heavy rainfall is also expected over parts of Konkan & Goa and Madhya Maharashtra.South India rain forecastSeveral southern states are likely to witness rain accompanied by thunderstorms.Kerala, Coastal Karnataka and Lakshadweep are expected to receive widespread rainfall through 1 July.North Interior Karnataka, South Interior Karnataka and Telangana are likely to witness widespread rainfall from 26 June onwards.Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam may receive widespread rainfall from 26 to 28 June.Heavy rainfall is likely over Kerala, Coastal Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Telangana and parts of Karnataka on different days through 1 July.Strong surface winds are also likely over Karnataka.Heatwave warning for Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar PradeshDespite the advancing monsoon, heatwave conditions are expected to persist in some parts of eastern India.According to the IMD:Heatwave conditions are likely over Jharkhand on 26 June.Severe heatwave conditions are likely over isolated parts of East Uttar Pradesh until 27 June, with heatwave conditions continuing until 28 June.Heatwave conditions over Bihar were mainly expected on 25 June, with rainfall likely to bring gradual relief thereafter.Maximum temperatures likely to changeThe IMD said:Maximum temperatures over Northwest India are likely to rise by 2–3°C until 28 June before falling by 3–5°C afterwards.Central India may see temperatures rise by 2–4°C until 28 June, with little change thereafter.No significant change is expected over the rest of the country until 1 July.IMD advisoryThe IMD has advised residents in areas under thunderstorm and heavy rainfall warnings to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather and follow updates issued by local authorities. People in heatwave-affected regions should stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours and take necessary precautions until conditions improve.