Dead Bodies Floating in the Ganges: Devastating Covid Second Wave in India
More than 100 bodies have found at the banks of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
As many as 100 bodies have been found floating in Ganges till now. A local official has confessed the bodies are coming from different rural area of Uttar Pradesh. The horrible situation came after experiencing a shortage in cremation woods and higher charges for creating a body. Some crematoriums are even run out of spaces. The most populous state of India has now discarding the dead bodies of the covid victims directly into the river.
Nevertheless, the experts have pointed out that the covid transmission cannot spread through the water after dumping the dead bodies. However, there is a high threat to the environment crisis and the National Mission for Clean Ganga. Till 2014, India has spent over 4,000 crores under the Ganga Action Plan I, which started from 1986 and the researchers are still opposing the fact that it is not possible to clean ganges even by 2020.
Moreover, the draft of National River Ganga Rejuvenation, Protection and Management Bill, 2019 is still in the rethinking stage with confusion regarding laws and regulations. However, the current situation of covid dead bodies are being floating around the ganges makes question on the sincerity behind protecting the ganges and its surrounding environment.
The National Human Rights Commission issues a notice on yesterday to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar along with the Central in conducting proper investigation on the matter. The NHRC has also summoned report from the Department of Water Resource, Ganga Rejuvenation of the Jal Shakti Ministry and River Development within four weeks.
The Practice of disposal of dead bodies in our sacred river Ganga is clearly in violation of guidelines of the National Mission for Clean Ganga project of Ministry of Jal Shakti. — NHRC
India is currently suffering from the Humanitarian Crisis as it has not yet achieved the certain reach for building her immunity to combat against the Covid-19. The country is currently suffering from lack of oxygen, medicine and treatment, hospitals beds, and an uncertain period of unemployment. The data published by Our World in Data shows that India has not been able to vaccninate 10% of its population. It increases the threat of surging number of deaths and contamination.
The second wave of Covid-19 pandemic in India sent us horrible pictures of deaths and sufferings. It was expected from the January and February of this year when the government were started promoting their victory over the Covid-19 in India. The descending situation in India came after the huge rallies, election procession, religious gatherings and little to no restrictions on wearing masks.
Back in February, the Covid cases in India had fallen to 20,000 a day from 90,000 during the peak time from September last year. People started gathering for public events without taking safety protocols. The burning example is this year’s Kumbh Mela, where millions gathered without masks and also allowed to celebrate the festival in mid-April.
There was complete disconnect between what they practised and what they preached! — Dr Chandrakant Lahariya, Public Policy and Health Systems Expert
After a series of careless events, the contamination in India started rapidly and entered into the deadlier Second Wave. The second wave is spreading faster than the first one with daily toll of 400,000 covid cases and more 2,000 daily deaths. In average, at least 153 covid patients are dying every hour in India. The Indian government have not make any plans for nation-wide lockdown, but the states are coming forth to make restrictions in their local high contaminated zones.
The outdoor gathering transmitted lower percentage of Covid-19 virus than the indoor gatherings. But, it has some parameters. There are higher chances in transmission within a close proximity, without proper protection, and it increases the amount of aerosols and droplets among the surroundings. Political rallies and religious gatherings are the great examples for much incidents in India.
Delhi is suffering from the most crucial time at the current situation. The shortage in medical equipment, oxygen and hospital bed surges the number of deaths everyday. As of late April, the government officials have counted 186,000 deaths with over 16 million cases in India. However, the journalists and researchers are questioning on the official figure that is contradicting the real situation.
The current vaccination shortage in India can be a result from unplanned exportation of vaccine to the International countries and lack in production growth. The government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi got prasied from all over the world. But now the deadly covid surge in India with insufficient vaccination makes the African Union to think about not achieving their goal of vaccinating 35% of the population by 2021. Other countries are also concerned on not receiving the assured number of vaccination from India for the severity of second wave in the country.
The Serum Institure of India (SII) offered 10 crore vaccination shots by December 2020 for domestic usage in India. But the government did not place sufficient order to SII which made the whole vaccination process delayed. Moreover, until March of this year, India made lesser number of vaccination than the other countries. In the first week of vaccination process, 39 lakh doctors and frontline workers got the first shot in India. After that over 8 crore shots sent outside which made the current situation in India worse.
The first right of the covid doses were given to the citizen over 60 years old and to those who have co-morbidity at least over 45 years. In the present situation, India is yet to cover the maximum number of vaccination for the senior citizen. On the contrary, the vaccination started for the people above eighteen years old from May this year has not seen growth seemingly till now. In Maharastra, the vaccination for 18–44 years old has put a break to complete the vaccination for people over 45 years old. The insufficient number of doses in hands of state governments makes the healthcare department concerned over achieving their goal in the coming years.
Scientists and researchers are trying to understand the prevention of surge in covid cases in India for the second wave. India succeeded in achieving a deep decrease in covid cases in January this year. Therefore, it is not a hard task to achieve again. Scienstists also thinking about herd immunity can be a way out of covid spread in India. It is an indirect protection that can be achieved after more than half of the population get exposed to the virus. Although the lack in medical support and power of the mutation presented in the Indian strain can raise question against the viability of herd immunity in India.
The WHO has advised that the vaccination is likely to be continuous effective for the Indian covid varient B.1.617. The varient found in India has become a global concern as it spreads fifteen more easily. A more genome sequencing will help in clearing the whole picture regarding the transmission and efficiency of the vaccination in India.
Sequencing does not give you the full picture. You do not know whether it is more transmissible, whether it causes more severe disease or what impact it has on your diagnostics. — WHO Scientist
The government in India and central commission should work on investigating the floating bodies in ganges and how to prevent the activity. It is important to maintain the ganges clean and conduct proper creation. The second wave in India needed to be in control by proper vaccination and medical assistance. Furthermore, it will help in recovering the collapsed healthcare system and economy in India.
Nation-wide lockdown can be a suicide to millions of population in India. But community spreading cannot be controlled without proper social distancing.
Till then stay at home, keep your mask on whenever go outside and fight against the coronavirus together!
