Rains break dry spell in Agra district

Intermittent showers on Saturday broke the long dry spell in Agra. Some parts of the district reported heavy rain and hail.

"Rain since early morning has kept us from going out for a morning walk to the Paliwal Park," said Sudhier Gupta of Vijay Nagar colony in Agra city.

Those taking part in Taj Mahotsava -- the 10-day craft and culture fair that got underway on Thursday near the iconic Taj Mahal -- were a worried lot as the showers draggled the stalls and the merchandise on display.

"If the bad weather continues it can spoil the fun at the fair for which painstaking preparations have been made in the last few weeks," said Ajeet, a stall owner.

"The light rains are very good for farmers tending their wheat crop," said farmer Ravi Singh of Barauli Aheer block.

Colourful umbrellas are back at the Taj Mahal, said guide Ved Prakash. "The Taj is sparkling white after the showers washed it clean. The vegetation in the complex looks fresher and greener," he said.

In the last two days the temperature had gone up above 30 degrees celsius. "The showers will definitely moderate the weather," said Shailendra Singh Narwaar, a school teacher.