A partial solar eclipse has started in India, seen first in the eastern city of Gauhati, Associated Press reported.
But most other parts of the country remain under thick cloud cover Wednesday to the disappointment of millions who have gathered outside to watch the longest solar eclipse of the 21st century.
Live television pictures showed a section of the sun being covered by the moon in Gauhati in eastern India at about 5.30 a.m. (0000 GMT). But the sunrise was blotted in most other parts of the country.
The eclipse - visible only in Asia - will reach its peak in India at about 6:20 a.m. local time (0050 GMT).
It will move north and east to Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan and China. The total eclipse will last 6 minutes and 39 seconds.