Agra, Jan 26 (IANS): Several spells of showers Sunday evening and into the night, and an overcast sky Monday, dampened the enthusiasm of students preparing for a smart turnout for a marchpast on Republic Day.

"The fields are wet and there is water-logging everywhere. The rangolis have been washed out and the flag is wet. Children are shivering," said school teacher Anubhav Kumar.

Divisional Commissioner Pradip Bhatnagar unfurled the national flag at the commissioner's office while the District Magistrate Pankaj Kumar saluted the tri-colour at the collectorate. At the police lines, a contingent of the UP police marched past the national flag. Because of the wet weather programmes were cut short and the attendance in the schools was thin.

A number of races have been organised to create awareness about the ongoing cleanliness drive.

On the eve of the Republic Day, the police carried out extensive searches on the stations, bus stands and hotels, as part of the alert.

Those who were hoping to have fun on the Republic Day were saddened by the weather. The tourists at the Taj Mahal however continued to brave chilly breeze. "Tourists chose to stay back in hotels hoping that the clouds would clear off as the day progresses," said a tourist guide Ved Gautam.