Jodi Borshe Magher Shes, Dhonnyo Rajar Punya Desh -- If it rains at the end of Magh (10th month of the Bengali calendar), the kingdom would prosper, said ancient wise soothsayer and astrologer Khona in a popular verse.

Most of her verses deal with weather forecast and agricultural advice. She, however, did not say what would happen if it rains at the beginning of the month.

Although it is a rarity in winter, many areas in the country saw rain yesterday, the seventh day of Magh. A cold wave might sweep the country from next Saturday after the rain, meteorologists said.

The cold wave would continue for two to three days, said an official at Dhaka Met office last evening.

Yesterday's rain brought much relief to many city residents. The rain will clean the city's air, said Giasuddin Khan from Farmgate.

However, the winter chill would bring misery to many poor people living under the open sky.

According to Dhaka Met office, it rained in the different parts of Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions yesterday morning and Khulna and Dhaka divisions in the afternoon.

The rain hit the country due to an Easterly low in the South Bay. The day's highest rainfall of 25 mm was recorded in Rajshahi.