A+| A| A-
Dealing with Mass Fatalities
The recent flash flood, cloudbursts and landslides in five districts of Uttarakhand pose serious questions about our preparedness to deal with mass fatality in India. Management of dead bodies in a proper and dignified manner is one of the most difficult aspects of disaster response. Despite several disasters, the government still does not have a policy or standard operating procedure for dealing with dead bodies or any fatality infrastructure preparedness plans.
The recent flash flood, cloudbursts and landslides in five districts of Uttarakhand pose serious questions about our preparedness to deal with mass fatality in India. Management of dead bodies in a proper and dignified manner is one of the most difficult aspects of disaster response. Despite several disasters, the government still does not have a policy or standard operating procedure for dealing with dead bodies or any fatality infrastructure preparedness plans.
In its absence, the government is consulting the holy men in Uttarakhand regarding mass cremation and proper ritual. Corpses have been lying for days in the sun and rain but forensic teams for taking photos of the bodies and DNA samples were sent after almost a week!
Dear Reader,
Or
To gain instant access to this article (download).
(Readers in India)
(Readers outside India)
