Nearly eight people were killed when a bus fell off a bridge amid heavy rain in Punjab’s Bathinda on Friday. Reportedly, the bridge had no railings, which could have averted the bus from falling into the drain below. 

The accident took place near Jiwan Singh Wala village in Bathinda when a bus fell into a drain after crashing a bridge. A rescue operation is underway with the help of NDRF, police and locals.

The officials stated that the bus was carrying more than 20 passengers, and was headed to Bathinda from Talwandi Sabo. Reports said that local residents rushed to the spot to help rescue people and were joined by teams from police and local administration. 

The officials added that eight people were killed and the injured have been taken to a hospital. They said that it is being investigated whether heavy rain played a role in the driver losing control of the bus. 

Bathinda Urban MLA Jagroop Singh Gill also said that at least eight people were killed in a bus accident in Punjab’s Bathinda on Friday, adding that five died on the spot while three succumbed to serious injuries during treatment.

The MLA was briefed by the Bathinda civil surgeon Dr Ramandeep Singla when he visited Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh Civil Hospital in Bathinda city where 18 injured passengers are currently being treated.

Reportedly, identities of the deceased are yet to be confirmed by the district authorities. The district officials said it was raining in Bathinda when the accident occurred and the cause of the mishap will be probed.

Furthermore, Bathinda deputy commissioner Showkat Ahmad Parray said soon after the accident, villagers rushed to rescue and they managed to save lives. A detailed investigation is underway to confirm how many people were onboard, he continued.

Reportedly, soon after the accident, district officials, including DC Parray and senior superintendent of police (SSP) Amneet Kondal, rushed to the spot.

Delhi and the nearby regions received moderate to heavy rain on Friday, leading to a drop in temperatures. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued a hailstorm alert. The rain, which began early in the morning and continued through the day, is expected to last longer.

The IMD  issued an orange alert in Delhi. It has also issued a hailstorm alert for the national capital and several other regions in North India. Reportedly, an orange alert has been declared for Delhi for Friday, while a yellow alert has been issued for Saturday and Sunday.

The heavy rainfall caused disruptions to traffic in various parts of South, Central, and North Delhi. Reports stated that the highest rain was recorded at Delhi University’s North Campus, which also led to waterlogging in low-lying areas.

The IMD has forecasted additional showers in the city over the next few hours, primarily driven by a Western Disturbance interacting with easterly winds.

In its recent update, the weather department said that heavy rainfall is likely over Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh, East Rajasthan and West Madhya Pradesh on December 27. 

It added that thunderstorms accompanied by hailstorms are also likely over Southeast Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, East Rajasthan, Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada and Gujarat Region.

Furthermore, cold wave conditions are likely to prevail in parts of Himachal Pradesh starting on Sunday. The IMD stated that fairly widespread to widespread rainfall/snowfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, is likely over the Western Himalayan Region on December 27 and 28, with isolated heavy rainfall/snowfall expected over Himachal Pradesh on December 27 and Uttarakhand on December 27 and 28.

Additionally, Rajasthan continues to experience cold conditions, with light to moderate rain reported in several parts of the state. The lowest minimum temperature of 5.4 degrees Celsius was recorded in Churu. The night temperatures saw a slight increase, ranging from 5.4 degrees Celsius in Churu to 17.2 degrees Celsius in Vanasthali.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim paid tribute to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday. Manmohan Singh was India’s 14th Prime Minister. 

French President Emmanuel Macron said that India has lost a great man and France a true friend, in the person of Dr. Manmohan Singh. The President added that  Manmohan Singh devoted his life to his country. 

Remembering the former Prime Minister, Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim said that the weight of grief bears down on him at the news of the passing of his cherished friend Manmohan Singh. He added that obituaries, essays and books, a plenty there will surely be about this great man, celebrating him as the architect of India’s economic reforms. As Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh was the midwife of India’s emergence as one of the world’s economic giant, he continued.

The Malaysia Prime Minister further recalled that not many people know this, and it is time that he share it with Malaysians that during the years of his incarceration, Manmohan Singh extended a kindness that he didn’t have to, one that was neither politically expedient nor, as one can imagine, appreciated by the Malaysian government at that time. Yet, true to his character, he did it anyway, he continued.

PM Anwar Ibrahim said that the former Prime Minister offered scholarships for his children, particularly his son, Ihsan. Although he had declined the gracious offer, such a gesture undoubtedly showed Manmohan Singh’s extraordinary humanity and generosity, demonstrative, as the Bard would have it, of a man so full of the milk of human kindness.

Speaking to the media, former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that he has known Manmohan Singh since 1992, and had discussions with him. He remembered him as a good friend, a good leader, and one of those who made modern India.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh died due to age-related medical complications. He had been in poor health for the past few months. The funeral will be held at 9:30 am on Saturday with full state honours. Also, a seven-day state mourning will be observed throughout the country as a mark of respect to Dr Manmohan Singh.