GUWAHATI, April 1 - Despite incessant rains playing spoilsport, thousands thronged the main venue of the Namami Brahmaputra on the second day of the five-day festival today. Some programmes were delayed due to the rains, but that did not dampen the spirit of the visitors with encouraging footfalls at the stalls and food courts. Visitors were seen scouring the length and breadth of the sprawling venue on the banks of the Brahmaputra at Kachamarighat, taking selfies and photos.
�Yesterday the crowd was more. Even today, people are coming despite the rains,� said the owner of the Naga Food Court at the venue.
Nodal officer of the event, Anand Prakash Tiwari said the response of the visitors, who braved the rains, was �amazing�.
�We have never seen such enthusiasm and craze among the people. People were standing in long queues in the rain to visit the domes � one set up for theatre and another for exhibitions. We should be thankful to the young generation. New Assam thinks differently,� Tiwari told The Assam Tribune.
The Meghalaya Chief Minister and Telangana Deputy Chief Minister were to visit the venue today, but their programmes have been postponed due to the rains.
A Brahmaputra aarti event held in the evening also witnessed a big crowd.
The water level of the Brahmaputra was also rising, but the administration said it was a marginal rise and that it should not affect the programmes.
Yesterday, the water level was 41.50 metres. Today it was recorded at 41.59 metres and was said to be rising.
�There should not be any problem, but we will take precaution,� officials in the administration said.
The Kamrup Metro district experienced 64.5 mm rainfall on Saturday. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, similar kind of weather is likely to continue for the next 48 hours.
With Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama visiting the venue on Sunday, the organisers are expecting more footfalls.
