Due to the ongoing submersion of all 12 crematoriums in Thoothukudi, the inhabitants have ingeniously established an improvised cremation facility utilizing two commercial LPG cylinders. The local burial grounds became impractical following the recent torrential downpour that inundated southern Tamil Nadu, compelling Thoothukudi residents to resort to alternative measures.
The persistent rainfall rendered the designated crematoriums for various castes ineffectual, prompting Ganesan, a Thoothukudi Corporation resident, to express that cemeteries and cremation facilities are still submerged under two feet of water. Consequently, some residents have resorted to transporting the deceased to distant locations such as Thiruvannamalai or Kovilpatti for cremation.
Ganesan anticipates that even after a complete water recession, it will take approximately five months for the area to be conducive to burial due to lingering water levels. Faced with this predicament, the local populace collaborated to devise an ad-hoc cremation setup utilizing two commercial LPG cylinders, as conveyed by Tamilselvan, an ambulance service operator.
While Christians opt to transport their deceased to other districts, Hindus find themselves without a viable cremation space. Tamilselvan underscores the absence of foreseeable normalcy and emphasizes the unavoidable hour-long duration for body cremation, with an additional 15 minutes required for the cooling of ashes.
Furthermore, Tamilselvan notes the absence of communication channels with officials but highlights the efforts to inform Thoothukudi Mayor Jagan Periyasamy about the distressing situation. Seeking financial aid for cremation expenses, he underscores the unprecedented rainfall and flooding witnessed in regions like Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli since December 17, with ongoing rescue and rehabilitation endeavors amid widespread inundation.
