The southwest monsoon has reached a very active stage in the Indian subcontinent. And the densest of cloud cover is now hanging over central India, covering the entire path of the eclipse in the country.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cloud cover stretches from Gujarat up to Bay of Bengal, covering Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.

All the sites suggested for best viewing of the eclipse lie in this region. These include Anand and Vadodara in Gujarat; Bhusawal, Akola, Yavatmal, Chandrapur in Maharashtra; Jagdalpur in Orissa; and Srikakulam and Palkonda in Andhra Pradesh. Besides it has been raining heavily in these regions for the past few days.

`The cloud cover is quite dense and it has been active since July 15. So far the scene is bad for viewing thetotal eclipse. Something precise can be said only on Monday,' Dr R R Kelkar, Director General of IMD, told The Indian Express.

There is disappointment in scientific circles. Various government and amateur astronomical research agencies have made elaborate arrangements to view the eclipse and carry out experiments.

Arun Patnaik, Director, National Research Centre for Science and Technology, said he planned to witness the great astronomical event at Vadodara and Anand along with his team of scientists and student enthusiasts.

`We have also made arrangements for carrying out field experiments during the total phase. For this the ideal conditions are a few days of clear skies before the day of eclipse. However, if the monsoon plays truant, all efforts will go waste.'

With only five days to go, it is to be seen how the monsoon clouds decide the fate of millennium's last total solar eclipse in the country.