Preparations for viewing the total solar eclipse on Wednesday at the Surat Airport have been completed, but the presence of clouds could prove to be a dampener, according to experts.

The state government, Surat Municipal Corporation, and the South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) have spent lakhs of rupees to make the event a success. Cloudy skies might, however, prevent people from watching the phenomenon on Wednesday morning.

Astronomer Ashok Patel said: “It would be very cloudy on Wednesday morning and it is difficult to see the total solar eclipse. Only viewers in Patna can see the total solar eclipse and it has been predicted by NASA too. This year, the monsoon season had started late and Wednesday is the 15th day after Purnima (Full Moon), so it is but natural that heavy rainfall will occur and the atmosphere will remain cloudy.”

He added: “There will be a high tide in the sea. The Met Department had also forecast heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours. So in all probability, we will not see the solar eclipse in Surat.”

The total solar eclipse will last for two minutes from 6.21 am to 6.23 am, and preparations for the celebrations have been advertised through newspapers as well. The SMC and the SGCCI have affixed hoardings at different places to create awareness about the event. In fact, SGCCI had given contract to a private media publicity agency to fix hoardings at 20 different spots, and had spent lakhs of rupees on this account. Thousands of solar filter eye glasses have also been purchased from a private company in Mumbai to be distributed free of cost to the people at the Surat Airport on Wednesday morning. Special platforms have also been set up at the venue and even seating arrangements have been made. Scientists from ISRO and other organisations have also come down to Surat to watch this historical celestial event. Many people from abroad are also likely to come to Surat to watch the phenomenon. According to Gujarat Tourism Department officials, 14 rooms have been booked in Hotel Park Inn; 16 in hotel Taj Gateway; and 16 in Hotel Hospice. These rooms have been booked under subsidised package wherein the visitors, majority of them foreigners, will get accommodation and transportation facilities.

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