Drizzle, wind hit Agra's Ram Lila festivities

Janakpuri celebrations, part of Agra's historic Ram Lila, were hit by chilly winds and light drizzle that forced people indoors Thursday.

"Woollens are out, a little too early this year. Already, many schools in Agra have asked students to report in full winter uniform to avoid falling prey to mosquitoes causing dengue and viral fever," home-maker Padmini said.

At Janakpuri, the crowds dwindled. "The food stall owners and others selling all kinds of things were disappointed as the expected rush of faithfuls dropped due to inclement weather," said Premendra Jain, an organiser.

The markets wore a deserted look in the evening as everyone wanted to hurry back home to avoid being caught in the rain, said Johri Bazar textile shop owner Bankey Lal Maheshwari.

The day temperature fell to 24 following gusty wind and an overcast sky. "It indicates winter has arrived a little too soon," said environmentalist Shravan Kumar Singh.

Normally, monsoon departs from this region around September 20 but this year "we seem to be having a rather long rainy season which began June 16. The village ponds are full and the recent wet spell has eased the demand for power. The light drizzle is good for mustard and provides enough moisture for the rabi crop," said Ravi Singh, a farmer of Barauli Aheer block.

Against the annual average precipitation of 700 mm, Agra region has received more than 850 mm. The weather office has forecast continued wet spell for another week or so.