By IANS,
Lucknow : Even the dead are not being spared the fury of the monsoons as three of the four cremation grounds in the city are submerged, making funerals an arduous task.
The three cremation grounds – Gulalla in Chowk locality, Pipraghat in Cantonment and Baikunth Dhaam in Gomti Nagar – have virtually been flooded following heavy rains.
“If the water level does not recede in a day or two, we will have no option other than to perform last rites along the roads,” Ashok Mishra, a priest who performs last rites at the Baikunth Dhaam, told IANS.
“As the cemented platforms for performing the last rites are under water, we are carrying out cremations on elevated structures near the entry gate,” he added.
The situation at other three cremation grounds is more or less similar.
“Complaints in this regard have already been received, and in the next two days pumps will be installed in these cremation grounds by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation for de-watering,” said Lucknow Mayor Dinesh Kumar.
Cremation of about 30-40 bodies is done at the four funeral grounds in the city daily. The only cremation ground that has not been affected by heavy rainfall is the one situated in Alambagh locality.