Rain and storms arriving across India on Thursday. Read latest forecast

Rain is likely to remain active across several parts of India on Thursday, October 8, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy rainfall at isolated places in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and West Bengal and Sikkim.The IMD's latest forecast issued on October 7 also predicts thunderstorms and lightning in several northern, central and eastern states, signalling another day of unsettled weather even as the southwest monsoon continues its gradual retreat from the country. People walk along the wet ground following a spell of rain. (Photo: PTI) RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS AROUND INDIAKerala and Mahe, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal and Sikkim are likely to see isolated heavy rainfall on October 8.Kerala is expected to receive fairly widespread to widespread rain, while rainfall is also likely at many places over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, Jharkhand and Gangetic West Bengal. In the north, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are likely at isolated places over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, as well as West Uttar Pradesh. A satellite image shows the weather systems over the Indian subcontinent. (Photo: IMD) Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir may also see thunderstorms with gusty winds. In central India, Chhattisgarh is likely to experience thunderstorms with winds reaching 40-50 kmph, while similar activity is expected over parts of Odisha. Southern India will remain another focus for rain.The IMD expects isolated rainfall over Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and parts of Karnataka, while Tamil Nadu and Kerala remain under a broader spell of rain extending through the coming days.MONSOON WITHDRAWAL PICKS UP SPEEDThe October 8 forecast comes as the southwest monsoon continues to withdraw from more parts of India. A man drives an electric rickshaw amid monsoon rain. (Photo: PTI) As of October 7, the withdrawal line stretched from parts of the eastern Himalayan region through Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and into the Arabian Sea.The IMD said conditions are likely to become favourable for further withdrawal from some more parts of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, as well as parts of Telangana and north interior Karnataka, during the next two to three days. Commuters make their way through the waterlogged road after heavy rain. (Photo: PTI) This does not mean rain will immediately disappear across the country.October can continue to bring spells of rain and thunderstorms, particularly in southern and eastern India, even as the monsoon retreats.The latest forecast reflects exactly that transition; rainfall will become limited across regions, while a few areas remain under active weather systems will help produce pockets of relief through heavy showers and thunderstorms.- Ends