At least 46 people, including 37 children, drowned while celebrating a Hindu festival in Bihar, eastern India, local officials reported on Thursday. The tragic incidents occurred as devotees were bathing in rivers and ponds swollen by recent floods during the Jitiya Parv festival, which is observed by mothers for the wellbeing of their children.
An official from Bihar’s Disaster Management Department stated that people ignored the dangerously high water levels, leading to separate drowning incidents across 15 districts. “People ignored dangerous water levels in rivers as well as ponds while bathing to celebrate this festival,” said the official, who wished to remain anonymous.
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The drownings took place over the past few days as festival-goers engaged in ritual bathing, a common practice during the celebrations. The authorities are continuing their efforts to recover three missing bodies.
The Jitiya Parv festival, marked with prayers and rituals for children’s welfare, turned tragic this year due to the unpredictable water conditions. Officials have urged the public to exercise caution in flooded areas during future celebrations.
