Lucknow, Aug 6 (IANS): Moderate to heavy rains lashed several districts of Uttar Pradesh Saturday. The Yamuna river next to the Taj Mahal is also in full flow.

"Upper air cyclonic pressure over parts of Uttar Pradesh is now getting moisture feed from the Bay of Bengal, which would now result in more rain across the state," state Met director J.P. Gupta told reporters.

According to officials, the cyclonic circulation that was expected to form in the next few days developed at a faster rate. "Such weather conditions would prevail at least for a few days," added Gupta.

While Lucknow recorded 33.2 mm rainfall, in Bareilly, Varanasi and Gorakhpur, it was recorded at 8.0 mm, 2.9 mm and 11.9 mm respectively.

The minimum temperature here was recorded at 23.6 degrees Celsius, two degrees below the average.

Rains also brought relief to farmers.

"Now there is relief all around and we are hoping the agricultural operations will begin soon," said Ravi Singh, a farmer.

Pilgrims who have flocked Mathura, the city famous for Lord Krishna, enjoyed themselves in the rains, said Acharya Jaimini.

Agra businessmen hoped the weather would bring them more profit.

"The drop in temperature and copious rains have really created a wonderful ambience which tourists are enjoying. The Yamuna river is also full behind the Taj Mahal and the whole area looks green. The Taj Mahal itself looks beautiful," said Sandip Arora, a hotelier.

At other times the river stretch next to the Taj has very little water and is a pale shadow of its original self.