Vadodara/Rajkot: A man died of electrocution in the old city during the thunderstorm in the city on Wednesday evening. 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 did two large hoardings and several solar panels installed atop buildings in various parts of the city. Electricity supply to many areas was cut throughout Wednesday night. Firemen were busy on Thursday removing fallen trees and clearing the debris.
The heavy rains reminded citizens of the deluge on Aug 26 that caused severe flooding across the city. Vadodara district received an average 8.15mm rainfall till Thursday evening.
The highest rainfall was registered in Desar taluka got 18mm. Bhavnagar was also lashed by heavy rain with Ghogha getting maximum 151mm of rainfall. Vallabhipur was pounded by 104mm followed by temple town Palitana (101mm) Bhavnagar city (92mm), Sihor (85mm) and Umrala (55mm).
Around 25 passengers from south India had a providential escape after their bus plunged into turbulent waters of a river in Koliyak village of Bhavnagar district. Bhavnagar collector RK Mehta said that the as the driver was not a local person, he couldn't gauge the risk of driving through the gushing waters. "The fire brigade and police rescued all the people safely," he said.
The India Meteorological Depa.
