Patna, Oct. 4: The first spell of post-monsoon rainfall in the state capital today dampened the festive spirit of several citizens.

Most devotees were enthusiastic on Mahaashtami but the sudden rainfall spoilt their plans. “The heavy crowd, which flocked to our pandal since morning, thinned because of the afternoon rain. Devotees, especially women, standing in the queue for offering puja rushed home,” said Umesh Singh, the president of Boring Road Durga Puja Samiti.

The cloud cover made several citizens sceptical about their pandal-hopping plans. “As there were dense clouds throughout the day and it rained in the afternoon, we are not sure whether to hit the streets at night or not. If it starts raining, we would be stuck with the entire family.,” said Ramesh Upadhyay, a resident of Kankerbagh.

The afternoon rain did not last long but the cloud cover and light breeze gave respite to the citizens from the sultry conditions.

“When it started raining, we thought the Navratra celebrations would be spoilt. But as the rain did not last long, we felt relieved. I think the rain brought respite from the hot and dry weather conditions,” said Vibha Jha, a resident of Ashiana Nagar.

The weathermen claimed that the rain would cause a delay in withdrawal of monsoon clouds from the state.

“There is a cyclonic circulation in sub-Himalayan Bengal and adjoining north Bihar since Sunday. It strengthened today, causing rainfall in the state capital. Although this cyclonic circulation is likely to settle down by tomorrow, the rainfall today is likely to delay the withdrawal of monsoon clouds from the state by a couple of days,” said A.K. Sen, the director (in-charge) of Patna Met department.