Fallen tree blocks KSRTC bus on forest road, incident in area visited by tigers, bears 

PUNALUR: Passengers of a KSRTC bus got stranded in a forest area for nearly four hours after a large tree fell across the road where there is no mobile network coverage. The incident occurred in the Kottakkayam area along the Achankovil route, where wild animals are frequently spotted. Large trees in the forest uprooted and fell onto an 11 kv power line on the Kollam–Punalur–Achankovil road. Road traffic and electricity supply were completely disrupted due to this. With tigers, elephants and bears visiting the area, the passengers panicked due to the non-availability of mobile phone signals.

Neither the outside world nor the forest department or KSEB officials were initially aware of the incident. Later a two-wheeler rider who happened to reach the spot risked his life by travelling through the forest road and informed the forest officials. They then arrived and removed the trees blocking the road, and restored traffic. The stranded passengers were finally relieved once the route was cleared.