RAWALPINDI (APP) - The much-awaited rain spell, first in the last four months has brought smiles on the faces of Pindiites and Islooites and raised hope for a healthy wheat crop in the coming season. The downpour, which started at about 2am (midnight) continued for about an hour with lightning and thunderstorm and ended drought-like situation in the area. Although the rainwater did not accumulate on main roads, slime and mud were found everywhere. There were dark clouds hovering in the sky in the morning but the sun came out in the afternoon. However, according to the Met office, more chances of rain could not be ruled out. For many, the rain brought a pleasant change in the weather. Some people did not send their children to school as a result the attendance remained thin in the educational institutions. According to the growers, the rains are beneficial for wheat crop. It would have positive effect the entire region, which is dependent on rain for the wheat crop. The present spell was much awaited and farmers were praying for rains as they had to depend on rains because the area had no irrigation facility, Rafaqat, a farmer said. The city is facing acute water shortage, as there were no rains for the last few months. Though the present spell of rain will not help overcome water shortage yet more rains will certainly improve the water shortage, Nadeem Abbas, a resident of Bagh Sardaran said. The rain however brought in its wake other hassles such as the consumers faced low pressure gas and loadshedding in various parts of the twin cities. The sale of kerosene and wood for kitchen in view of low gas pressure and candles increased due to loadshedding. The increase in use of candles during loadshedding has raised the prices by Rs10 per candle.