3 crematoriums shut in Delhi, remaining facilities bear brunt

NEW DELHI: The MCD on Thursday shut down crematoriums at Nigambodh, Wazirabad and Geeta Colony after water flooded the premises.
The shutting down of the three facilities has piled pressure on crematoriums at the east in Ghazipur and in central Delhi at Panchkuian.
The civic body has said it has provided sufficient wood at crematoriums at Jwala Nagar, Seemapuri, Ghazipur and others.
"The Nigambodh Ghat cremation ground is completely flooded and bodies are being taken to Panchkuian Road, Punjabi Bagh, Sarai Kale Khan and nearby crematoriums. Likewise, the cremation at Bhajan Pura (private) near Wazirabad Road is flooded and people are taking bodies to Kabir Nagar, Jwala Nagar and Seemapuri. The Geeta Colony cremation ground is flooded. Families are being sent to Ghazipur and Karkardooma," the MCD said on Thursday.
"We are spreading the message through social media about the changes to avoid inconvenience to families. We have arranged stock for sufficient quantity of wood in crematoriums that are open," the official said.
The MCD said it had taken these steps in view of the rising Yamuna water level. In Delhi, there are a total 23 crematoriums, burial grounds and cemeteries.
On Thursday, Arun Sharma, the crematorium manager in Geeta Colony, said that the premises were submerged on Wednesday at 9 pm. Water had reached a depth of 12 feet. The pandit who conducts the cremations had to swim through the flooded water to collect holy ash.
"The situation has raised concerns among the staff and local people due to potential dangers lurking in the water, including poisonous snakes and worms. The rising water could damage the crematorium's floor, necessitating additional expenses for renovation once the water recedes," Sharma said.
Effort will now be directed towards assessing the damage and taking steps to restore the crematorium to a functional state, the civic body said.
Health units located in and around the flood affected areas have been provided adequate medicines and other facilities to meet the requirements of people visiting them "They have been asked to provide all possible treatment to needy people. We have also deployed mobile dispensaries which are visiting flood-affected places to distribute basic medicines," the official said.
MCD schools to be relief camps: Mayor
During her visit to flood affected areas in Kashmere Gate, Red Fort and ITO, mayor Shelly Oberoi announced that MCD schools will be used as relief camps, depending on requirement. "To begin with, we have converted one school in central Delhi and one school in Narela to relief camps," she said.
On Thursday, the civic body received report of waterlogging at 19 places, among them Civil Lines (Bela Road), Burari, Bhalswa, Ajmal Khan Road, Kohat Enclave (Pitampura), GTB Nagar, District Park (Pitampura), Rohini Sector 16 B, Vikas Nagar and Shanti Niketan. Reports on uprooted trees came from at least three places, two of which were Vikaspuri and Jahangirpuri.