Locals living in company of 'dead' in this Kerala village
As flood waters rose to engulf their homes at Kainakary, a picturesque village in Kerala's Alappuzha district, at least 20 families took refuge in a church cemetery and are living in the company of the dead with their domestic animals. Presently, the 20 families who have taken shelter at the graveyard, cook meals with whatever they are able to lay hands on, including fish.
This family refused to move without their animals
Thankachan and his family refused to accept help and go to a safer place leaving behind their animals. However, as the water rose to a dangerous level, the family took shelter in the St. Mary's church cemetery at Kainakary village, a taluk in Kuttanad, with the animals. "We had cows and goats and we did not want to leave them behind," Thankachan said.
We are not scared of living in the cemetery: Thankachan
"We are not scared of living in the cemetery in the company of the dead. This is the final resting place of my father, elder sister, and many other relatives who are buried here," Thankachan said.
Kainakary is a sought-after spot by television serial makers
Water is a problem though at Kainakary and the stranded people have to depend on bottled water from Alappuzha. Kainakary is a sought-after spot by television serial makers due to its scenic beauty. Five rivers originating from the Western Ghats, including the sacred Pamba river, drain into the Vembanad Lake at the tip of Kainakary, famous for its snake boat race rowers.
