Nagpur, July 18 (UNI) After a dry spell of over 15 days since the monsoon set in last month, torrential rains lashed the city as well as the entire Vidarbha region yesterday, bringing cheer on the harrowed farmers' faces.

The incessant rains, which started at about 1500 hrs and continued unabated throughout the night, wreaked havoc as the city's normal life and vehicular traffic came to a standstill after its low-lying areas were flooded.

The rains forced the civic authorities to sound red-alert for the people living on the banks of Pili and Nag rivers in Nagpur and other low-lying localties.

The water entered the low-lying areas like cotton market underbridge, Dhobi Nagar, Sitabuildi road, Panchsheel square, Variety square, Medical College road, Mahal and other areas. With the rain water receding, the life in the city has returned to normal this morning.

The fire brigade personnel pressed into service motor pumps to drain excess water out of the low-lying areas. However, no report on loss of life or any damage to the public property was reported.

According to sources in Meteorological department, the city received 155.1 mm rainfall in the last 15 hours. They predicted the downpour would continue for another two or three days.

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