Heat claims four lives in Gujarat

Rajkot: Blistering heat across Gujarat has claimed four lives - two in Greater Rann of Kutch and one each in Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar.
A couple who lost their way in the Greater Rann of Kutch near Khavda village on April 27 were found dead on Sunday.
Vibha Koli (50) and his wife Kesar (45) had gone to the desert near Vekariya to collect gum. Primary investigation suggested that the couple died of dehydration and fatigue due to scorching heat.The couple was accompanied with Koli's younger sister Jinviben (35). When the trio did not return for three days, the villagers approached the police on Sunday.
A rescue team found Jiviben lying unconscious in thorny bushes, about 30km inside the desert. On gaining consciousness, she said Koli and Kesar had gone deeper inside to fetch water for her.
"Locals usually go inside the Banni areas to collect gum. On Monday, we first found Kesar's body and after going deeper inside, we saw Koli lying dead," said M K Chaudhary, investigating officer, Khavda police station. "Primary probe suggests that they were dehydrated due to lack of water and heat," Chaudhary said.
In Ahmedabad, 23-year old Surajpal Kathoria of Narol was admitted to LG Hospital on Saturday in an unconscious state with severe sweating. Doctors treated Surajpal, who had a history of alcoholism, for heat stroke but he died on Sunday night.
In Bhavnagar, 63-year-old Dhirubhai Gohel collapsed on tnear Kumbharwada circle on Sunday. He was rushed to hospital where doctors declared him brought dead. While police lodged a case of accidental death, sources said the man might have suffered heat stroke and died. Day temperatures in Gujarat are soaring and some places have recorded temperatures at even 42-43 degrees Celsius.