Rescue Operation for Stranded Tourists Amid Heavy Rain in Gujarat

A tourist bus with 37 passengers was stranded on a flooded causeway in Gujarat amid heavy rainfall, prompting a rescue operation. Authorities successfully evacuated the passengers after nearly eight hours. The India Meteorological Department issued an 'orange' alert, predicting continued heavy rainfall across the region.

A tourist bus carrying 37 passengers, including 29 from Tamil Nadu, was stranded on a flooded causeway in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district due to heavy rainfall. The incident occurred as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an 'orange' alert for the region, predicting very heavy rainfall.

The bus became stuck on a raised path near Koliyak village on Thursday evening after the driver attempted to cross the submerged causeway. As floodwaters rushed in, the front of the bus dipped into the stream while the rear remained stranded. A video shared by news agency PTI shows the bus inundated and a minitruck alongside also caught in the floods.

District collector RK Mehta explained that rescuers initially reached the stranded bus in a mini-truck, successfully transferring all passengers, along with the driver and cleaner, through the rear window. However, shortly after their rescue operation began, the mini-truck also became stranded.

To ensure the safety of the passengers, authorities dispatched a larger truck to the scene. After nearly eight hours of operation, all passengers were safely evacuated around 3 AM. They were provided with accommodation and food in Bhavnagar, and medical tests were conducted to ensure their well-being.

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The IMD's bulletin warned of continuing heavy to very heavy rainfall in the region, indicating the potential for further flooding. It highlighted that extremely heavy rainfall was expected in isolated places over Gujarat on September 27 and anticipated continued rainfall through September 28.