Botad: Heavy rains in Botad district on Monday triggered a flash flood-like situation, leading to severe disruptions and a tragic accident on the road from Lathidar to Sangavadar village. An Eeco van carrying nine people was swept away by strong water currents near Bala Surdhan.

Of the nine passengers, Priyankbhai Chauhan and Yashwantbhai Vaveta were rescued safely. However, the bodies of two women were recovered on Tuesday, while five others remain missing. A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been dispatched from Vadodara to assist in the ongoing rescue operation. Local residents managed to pull the submerged van out of the floodwaters.

Upon receiving information about the incident, Botad’s Mamlatdar, TDO, police, fire personnel, and other administrative officials rushed to the site. Rescue and search operations have continued through the night, with authorities making every effort to locate the missing individuals.

Meanwhile, the relentless rainfall has caused several rivers and drains in the district to overflow, submerging roads and cutting off access to multiple villages. Another car was reportedly swept away, and a separate vehicle was seen stuck in the strong river current near the BJP office at Deendayal Chowk in Botad city.

List of missing persons:

• Nayanaben Yashwantbhai Vaveta (45), resident of Vinchia

• Manjuben Kanubhai Vaveta (72)

• Geetaben Maheshbhai Chauhan (48), resident of Lathidar

• Hituben Maheshbhai Chauhan (22), resident of Lathidar

• Babubhai Tulshibhai Chauhan (75), resident of Shivrajgadh, Gondal

• Shardaben Babubhai Chauhan (72), resident of Shivrajgadh, Gondal

• Urvashiben Maheshbhai Chauhan (29), resident of Shivrajgadh, Gondal