New Delhi, July 21 : Officials at China’s National Meteorological Center have predicted that the cities that had been widely regarded as the ideal places to watch the rare total solar eclipse on July 22, including Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Hefei and Wuhan, will probably experience rainfall or cloudy weather during the event.

“This indeed will be a great pity if the rare event is ruined by rain or cloudy weather on Wednesday morning,” said an expert from Shanghai Astronomical Observatory. “But cities will still be plunged into four to six minutes of darkness by the full eclipse,” he added.

An official from the Shanghai Tourist Transport Center said Monday people who bought a tour ticket to watch the eclipse could receive a refund if the rare event is rained out.

The center began selling eclipse tour packages last month with a price of 150 yuan per person.

So far, more than 1,500 tickets have been sold for the eclipse viewing at Yangshan Deep Water Port, which is reported to be a prime viewing spot in the city.

The Shanghai Greenery and Public Sanitation Bureau has decided not to turn on landscape lighting during the total solar eclipse after people said the lights could affect eclipse viewing.