At least 46 people, including 37 children and seven women, drowned while bathing in rivers and ponds during a Hindu religious festival in India. The incidents occurred in the eastern state of Bihar, where the waters were swollen by recent floods following heavy rains. The festival being observed was Jivitputrika Vrat, during which women fast for 24 hours and pray for the well-being of their children. Devotees were visiting rivers and ponds to bathe as part of the ritual when the drownings occurred. This is a rare but tragic occurrence during religious festivals in India. The state government has announced compensation of 400,000 rupees ($4,784) for each deceased person’s family. Stampedes and other dangerous incidents have taken place during religious events in the past, but widespread drowning incidents are not common. The tragedy highlights the importance of safety precautions and awareness during crowded festivals and gatherings, especially in areas prone to natural disasters like flooding.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
During Hindu festival in India, dozens of children tragically drown
