Worst is over, says Bahuguna, mass cremation soon

As the state tries to recover from the floods and landslides triggered by the monsoon rain on 16 June, Bahuguna said precautionary measures have been taken in the wake of the forecast by the weather office that heavy to very heavy rainfall will hit the state over the next three days. He added the state government will start disbursing compensation to the affected persons within a week.

Meanwhile, the cremation of unidentified bodies started in Haridwar on Monday. About 48 bodies had come down floating in the Ganga and were fished out in the holy town. Officials, however, said the DNA of unidentified victims was being preserved. A team of officials also reached Gaurikund and Kedarnath to carry out DNA finger printing.

‘We have decided to start mass cremation. Priests have been requested to participate in the final rites. The State Forest Corporation has been sounded out to gather as much fire wood and logs as possible and pick cans of ghee from the open market for cremation,’ said a state government official.