Rohtak sees 50% decline in cremations

Tribune News Service

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Rohtak, May 24

Crematoriums in the city have recorded more than 50 per cent drop in the number of cremations in the past 10 days, indicating a dip in the number of Covid cases.

The period between April 25 and the second week of May saw a surge rise in cremations. It was suspected that the reason for the surge was Covid, but it could not be confirmed because patients were unwilling to get themselves tested.

“More than 350 bodies were cremated in the Ram Bagh crematorium from April 25 to May 13 — on an average 20 bodies every day. The number has now reduced. In the past 10 days, nearly 10 bodies were cremated daily,” said Surendra Batra, vice-president, Ram Bagh crematorium management committee.

He further said multi-fold rise in deaths had created shortage of dry wood. “Local suppliers preferred to supply wood to Gurugram and Delhi as they were getting a good price there. So, the crematorium management committee bought dry wood from Rajasthan at a hefty price.”

Batra has been associated with the crematorium management for the past three decades, but it was for the first time that he saw the crematorium flooded with bodies. “Cremations started early in the morning and continued late in the evening,” he said.

Meanwhile, MC Commissioner Pradeep Godara said: “The number of Covid deaths has considerably reduced in the past week. More than 50 bodies were cremated in a day when the pandemic was at its peak. Now, the number is less than 20, indicating some respite.”