Dozens of children drowned while bathing in rivers and ponds in rituals that were part of a three-day Hindu festival in eastern India's Bihar state, officials said. Thirty-seven children drowned while performing holy baths in rivers and ponds across Bihar during the three-day ‘Jivitputrika’ festival.
Heavy monsoon rains recently raised the levels of waterways across the state, leading to this tragedy.
At least 46 people, including 37 children, drowned in separate incidents across the state's 15 districts. Authorities have recovered 43 bodies so far, and the three missing people are presumed to be dead.Statement from Bihar Disaster Management Team
During the annual festival, mothers fast for 24 hours for the well-being of their children. The women are sometimes accompanied by their children when they visit rivers and ponds for cleansing rituals. The festival concluded on last Thursday.
The state government has announced compensation of 400,000 rupees ($4,784) for the families of each of the dead.
Deadly accidents like drownings and stampedes during religious festivals are common in India.
In July, at least 121 people were killed after severe overcrowding and a lack of exits contributed to a stampede at a religious festival in northern India.
(VOA/SD)