Floodwaters force farmer to ferry mother’s body by boat, cremate in courtyard

In a heart-wrenching incident, tragedy struck twice at the home of Satnam Singh, a farmer from Sangra village, as devastating floods first destroyed his entire paddy crop and then he lost his mother. The family, overwhelmed by loss and trapped by floodwaters, had no option but to perform the cremation in the courtyard.

“She was shattered after seeing our fields underwater,” said Satnam Singh, his voice heavy with emotion. “Our entire crop was wiped out. On the 17th, my mother’s health deteriorated suddenly. We rushed her to the hospital by boat at around 3 pm, but she suffered a heart attack and didn’t survive.”

Even bringing Gurnam Kaur’s body back home was an ordeal. “We returned at 10 pm that night — again by boat,” he said. “With the village’s cremation ground completely submerged, we were forced to cremate her right near our home on September 18.”

Dry wood for the cremation had to be ferried in from a sawmill in Sultanpur Lodhi, as boats were the only means of access. Many relatives couldn’t attend the final rites. “Some came, struggling through the water. Others just couldn’t make it,” he added.

The emotional burden weighs heavily not just on Satnam but also on his family. Village Numberdar Kuldeep Singh Sangra noted, “Every day they step into that courtyard, they’ll be reminded that their mother was cremated there.”

Village Sarpanch Gurjit Kaur Sangra said the decision to cremate at home was taken collectively. “The cremation ground is still underwater. Given the situation, villagers came together and supported the family’s difficult choice. Right now, the village is accessible only by boat,” she explained.

Satnam’s father, Gajjan Singh, who was already ailing, has further declined in health since the loss. Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal, who has been monitoring the situation, said, “Since not many can reach the house due to floodwaters, the kirtan will be held in Sultanpur Lodhi after the bhog on September 26. Relatives will be called there.”