Vadodara/Rajkot: At least 25 passengers from South India had a providential escape after their bus got stranded in the turbulent waters of an overflowing natural drain in the coastal Koliyak village, 25 km from Bhavnagar city, which was pounded by heavy rain on Thursday. The driver of the bus, believed to be from South India, couldn't gauge the depth of the water and continued driving the vehicle. However, the front wheels of the bus got stuck in the water.
The passengers are reportedly pilgrims from South India who had come to the famous Nishkalank Mahadev temple in Koliyak to offer prayers. The situation turned grim as the water level continued to swell due to rain and darkness. A truck was sent near the bus, and its rear glass was broken to remove people with the help of some local swimmers.
Bhavnagar collector RK Mehta said, "The fire brigade, police, and locals rescued all the people safely, but the operation was difficult due to darkness." In Bhavnagar, Ghogha got the maximum 151mm of rainfall . Vallabhipur was pounded by 104mm, followed by temple town Palitana (101mm), Bhavnagar city (92mm), Sihor (85mm), and Umrala (55mm).
In Vadodara, a man died of electrocution in the old city during the thunderstorm . Two animals were also electrocuted during the squall, which uprooted 156 trees in the city. Fire brigade officials said five fires were reported, and 15 cars and 19 motorcycles were damaged due to falling trees or walls.
Five electricity poles came crashing down, as d.
