Ranchi: The IMD Ranchi office on Thursday issued a yellow alert for the state, warning of potential thunderstorms and lightning in isolated parts till July 21."Light to moderate rain and thunderstorms are most likely to occur at many places over the state till July 21, due to the presence of the monsoon trough.

Isolated places across the state are also likely to experience thunderstorms and lightning activities till July 21.

In the next two days, the maximum is likely to rise by two to three degrees," said Baburaj P P, a scientist at Ranchi IMD.Heavy rain lashed several districts starting Wednesday. The IMD's weather bulletin issued on Thursday said Huntergunj in Chatra district recorded the highest rainfall of 132 mm, while Ranchi recorded the least of 3.9 mm of rainfall.

Jamshedpur recorded 64.6 mm, Daltonganj 28.8 mm, Chaibasa 9.1 mm, Godda 28 mm, while Latehar and Saraikela recorded 4.5 mm each. Jharkhand received 611.5 mm rainfall against the normal 359.8 mm from June 1 till Thursday.On Thursday, IMD issued an extended range forecast for the state, predicting normal rainfall in Jharkhand in the coming two weeks. "From Friday till July 24, light to moderate rainfall is very likely at a few to many places in the state.

However, the intensity of the rain will be slightly less. From July 25 to July 31, fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall is very likely over the state of Jharkhand in this week.

Isolated heavy rainfall is also likely during this period. Cumulatively, normal rainfall is also expected this week," the IMD bulletin said.Despite the rain across the state, the IMD said the maximum would be normal to above normal in the range of 29° C to 35° C in most parts of Jharkhand till July 24. During the day, Ranchi recorded a maximum of 30.3 °C, with Jamshedpur recording the highest at 35.1 °C, followed by Daltonganj at 31°C, Chaibasa at 30.8°C, and Bokaro recorded 30.1 °C.