Bhubaneswar, Dec. 21: An overcast sky along with a spell of rain today forced many city residents to remain indoors.

Director of the meteorological centre, Bhubaneswar S.C. Sahu said the rainfall was caused by cloud coming from Madhya Pradesh.

"In the absence of sunlight, the atmosphere has become cold and the clouds gathered moisture from the sea causing rainfall," said Sahu.

The weather is expected to remain this way till the Christmas festivities.

Several places in the state today received light rainfall. Bhubaneswar recorded 6.1mm rain followed by Dhenkanal with 3mm. Cuttack and Keonjhar today received 2mm rain each.

The sudden rain took citizens unawares as they ran for cover as very few were armed with umbrellas.

Most city residents had been wearing winter clothes during the day over the past week because of the cold and foggy weather. Today's rain added its bit to the chill factor.

Those hit by the sudden downpour included makeshift kiosks selling greeting cards and decorative items for Christmas that were attracting a large number of customers complained of bad business after the shower.

"At a time when Christmas is around the corner, the weather has remained clouded and it even rained today.

Rain is unexpected around this time and we had not taken enough precaution. Consequently, many of our goods such as Christmas trees and decorative items got damaged," said Abhiram Sahoo, a vendor at Satya Nagar.

The cultural programmes, mass in churches and get-togethers for the festival might will also witness thin attendance if the cloudy weather continues.

Met officials said this weather would continue for another week. "Light rain may occur at one or two places in the state for another four days. The weather is likely to be dry from December 26 leading to a decrease in night temperature," said Sahu.

The rain started around 11am today.

"The night temperature had decreased in the past few days indicating the onset of winter. Today's rainfall brought down the temperature further. In the absence of sunlight, it has become difficult for us to venture outside in the cold," said Barada Padhy, a resident of Bhubaneswar.

However, the clouds have also led to increase in night temperature by around three degrees Celsius.

Apart from Sundargarh, which recorded a minimum night temperature of 6°C, all other places in the state registered minimum temperatures of more than 10°C. Even Daringbadi in Kandhamal district, which are usually among the coldest area of the state, recorded a minimum temperature of 16°C last night.

Weathermen have forecast foggy mornings in coming days.

"Moderate fog reducing surface visibility to less than 500 metres may occur at one or two places in the state," said a Met official.