46 people drown while taking bath during festival in India

At least 46 people including 37 children lost their lives in drowning incidents during the 'Jitiya' or 'Jivitputrika' festival in Bihar, India, according to government officials.

The drownings were reported from various districts, including East and West Champaran, Aurangabad, Kaimur, Buxar, Siwan, Rohtas, Saran, Patna, Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Gopalganj, and Arwal.

So far, 43 bodies have been recovered, with ₹4 lakh in ex-gratia compensation being offered to the victims' families. According to an official from the Disaster Management Department (DMD), eight families have already received the compensation.

In response to the incidents, several teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed for search and rescue operations.

The 'Jitiya' festival is observed by mothers praying for the health and prosperity of their children. Many of the drownings occurred when children, along with their mothers, went to take a ritual dip in local water bodies.

Among the most tragic incidents, eight children drowned in Aurangabad, four in the Itahat village under the Baruna police station, and another four in the Kushaha village under the Madanpur police station. In Kaimur, seven minors lost their lives while bathing in the Durgawati river and a nearby pond in the Bhabhua and Mohania police station areas.

In Patna’s rural area, four people drowned in the Amnabad village, while in Saran district, five individuals, including two boys, drowned in separate incidents in the Daudpur, Manjhi, Taraiya, and Marhaura police station areas.

Rescue operations are ongoing, and authorities are urging citizens to remain cautious around water bodies during the festival.