Several bodies washed out of graves after heavy rain floods UP cemetery

Several bodies were washed out of their graves after days of heavy rain triggered severe waterlogging and soil erosion at a cemetery in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur. Villagers, assisted by police, recovered the bodies and reinterred them with full religious honours.

The incident occurred at a cemetery located along the highway in Saharanpur district and according to locals, incessant rain over the past three days resulted in severe waterlogging, while the force of the flowing water eroded the soil covering several graves.

Videos of the damaged graves circulated on social media, prompting concern and grief among villagers. Upon receiving information about the incident, a large number of residents gathered at the cemetery. Police personnel also reached the spot and assisted villagers in handling the situation.

The exposed bodies were reburied with full religious rites and respect at a safer and relatively elevated section of the cemetery in the presence of police and community members.

Police said it happened due to excessive rainfall and water accumulation in the area. Officials added that all exposed bodies had been respectfully reinterred and that law and order in the village remained normal.

Residents, however, said the incident highlighted longstanding drainage issues in the area. Villagers alleged that natural channels through which rainwater and river flow once passed have been obstructed due to encroachments and land filling, diverting water towards the village and cemetery during heavy rains.

They further claimed that the natural drainage route behind the village has been blocked over time, while the Hindon River has gradually narrowed, worsening waterlogging during the monsoon season. This year, they said, the situation became so severe that even the cemetery was affected.

The village head warned that unless authorities undertake river widening and establish a permanent drainage system, similar or even more serious incidents could occur in the future.

While the immediate crisis was addressed through the joint efforts of villagers and police, the incident has renewed concerns over drainage infrastructure and river conservation in the region. Residents have urged the administration to implement permanent measures to protect the cemetery, improve water drainage and widen the Hindon River and nearby channels to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

- Ends

(With inputs from Anil Bharadwaj)