Rewa: Floodwaters in Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa district forced villagers to use a makeshift raft made from tied drums to carry the body of a deceased man home from hospital, triggering anger and demands for an inquiry.
Motilal Tiwari, 55, a resident of Rouli village under Jawa block, died on Sunday at Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Rewa after a prolonged illness.
Flood blocks way to man’s home
After his death, the family faced another painful challenge. Floodwaters had cut off the road leading to Rouli, making it difficult to take the body home.
With no immediate way to cross the flooded stretch, villagers reportedly tied drums together to make a temporary raft. They placed Tiwari’s body on it and carried him through the floodwaters to reach his home.
His last rites were performed after the body was brought back to the village.
A video showing the body being carried on the makeshift raft later surfaced on social media, prompting outrage and allegations that the local panchayat had failed to provide adequate help.
Panchayat denies ignoring family
Villagers demanded an inquiry into the incident.
However, Rouli panchayat official Vivek Tiwari denied allegations that the family was left without assistance.
He said three boats had already been deployed in the village as the Tamas river was flowing through the affected area. He also claimed that another boat was arranged after officials were informed about the death.
The official alleged that the family later used the drum raft despite the availability of boats.
Similar scene reported in Shahdol
The Rewa incident comes amid heavy flooding in parts of Madhya Pradesh.
In Shahdol district’s Byohari area, the body of a 45-year-old woman was reportedly found in a garden across the swollen Jhappar river on Sunday.
With no bridge available, a police vehicle could reportedly travel only up to nearly 1 km from the spot, highlighting the difficulties faced by residents during the floods.