In Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, three days of relentless heavy rainfall have disrupted normal life significantly. While the downpour has provided some relief from the intense heat, it has triggered widespread waterlogging and caused rivers to overflow, creating a difficult situation for the local population. A particularly distressing incident from Syed Majra village in the Gagalheri area has left the entire community in shock.
A disturbing scene at the graveyard
The incident came to light at approximately 9:00 AM when several villagers were heading towards their fields. As they passed the local graveyard, they were stunned to witness a horrifying sight. Due to severe waterlogging, graves had collapsed, and human remains were floating in the floodwaters. Panicked by the sight, the villagers rushed back to the village to alert others about the situation.
Villagers perform re-burial
A large number of residents arrived at the scene to confirm the reports. Upon seeing the remains floating in the current, the villagers, filled with grief and anger, took matters into their own hands. They managed to retrieve the remains from the water and, after digging, re-buried the bodies in the ground. During this process, the frustration of the villagers against the systemic failures became very apparent.
Issues with the expressway and drainage
The villagers attribute this tragedy to poor infrastructure rather than just the weather. They claim that ever since the construction of the new expressway, the natural path for water drainage has been completely blocked. The Pradhan of Syed Majra explained that the expressway was built without any adequate drainage system, forcing all the water from the highway to flow into the nearby fields and residential areas.
Impact of the Hindon River
The village head also identified the shrinking of the Hindon River as a significant factor in the current crisis. Changes in the river's path and capacity have caused the excess water to flood the surrounding fields. He noted that while there was flooding last year, the situation had never deteriorated to the point where bodies were displaced from graves. Currently, two bodies have been recovered, but the full extent of the damage will only be visible once the water levels recede. There is growing fear among the villagers that more graves might have been affected by the flooding.
