Mussoorie, July 18 -- Persistent rains continued to lash Uttarakhand on Thursday, triggering landslides and blocking over 85 roads across the state, including key national and state highways. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow and orange alerts for various districts, forecasting more heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds in the coming days. According to the IMD's Dehradun Centre, heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning occurred at isolated locations in Dehradun, Tehri, Rudraprayag, Nainital, and Bageshwar districts. Intense to very intense spells of rain were recorded in parts of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Haridwar, Pithoragarh, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar. Over 24 hours till 8.30am on Thursday, the state received an average of 17.6mm of rainfall. Haridwar district topped the list with 66.9mm of rainfall, 368% above its normal. US Nagar followed with 38.8mm, an excess of 164%. Bageshwar received 16mm of rainfall, 48% above its normal, while Champawat and Dehradun recorded 25.7mm and 25.6mm, respectively. An orange alert has also been issued for Sunday and Monday, with forecasts of heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and intense spells in Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Nainital, Champawat, and US Nagar districts. Due to the continuous rainfall, 85 roads were reported closed across the state on Thursday, primarily due to landslides and boulder falls. These include three national highways and one state highway, significantly disrupting connectivity in the hills.htc...