A family in Devipada village, located in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, faced an extreme situation due to torrential rains that resulted in severe flooding. The distressing event occurred on July 6, 2026, as the family waited on the roof of their house with the body of Anusaya Manohar Lilka, aged fifty-five. She had reportedly passed away while receiving treatment at a hospital, and her body had been brought home early that morning.

Challenges in Funeral Arrangements

According to family members, the situation quickly became precarious as the rains persisted. Transportation access was limited because floodwaters submerged the railway underpass, making it impossible to drive an ambulance to their home. Consequently, family members had to carry the deceased on their shoulders through the inundated area to reach their residence.

As they made preparations for the funeral, the rising floodwaters posed an immediate threat. The water levels escalated dangerously, consuming their home and threatening to submerge the body, which was placed on a cot. In an urgent response, the family broke through part of the kitchen roof using a cement sheet to access higher ground.

Once on the roof, the family members worked collaboratively to lift the body and cover it with plastic sheets, aiming to protect it from the relentless rain. For approximately four hours, between eight to ten individuals, including a young girl, remained stranded on the rooftop, anxiously awaiting the reduction of floodwaters that had enveloped their surroundings.

Community Response and Aftermath

As the heavy rains continued and the floodwaters surged, the family documented their struggle. A video captured the stark reality of their situation, consistently illustrating how the family huddled together beneath the pouring rain, with the body of their loved one close by. The dramatic rise of the floodwaters highlighted the devastation faced by those living in low-lying regions, exposing them to immense vulnerabilities.

Finally, after over four hours of waiting, the floodwaters began to recede. Villagers were able to assist the family in safely bringing Anusaya Manohar Lilka’s body down from the roof. Subsequently, her last rites were performed at the local cremation ground in Devipada, concluding the intensely traumatic day.

The tragic circumstances surrounding this incident have ignited conversations concerning the urgent need for enhanced flood management systems and efficient emergency response protocols in the area. Residents in vulnerable locales are calling for more robust infrastructure to mitigate the impact of such natural disasters in the future.

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