Patna: A tragic incident occurred in Bihar, India, where at least 46 individuals, including 37 children, drowned in various rivers and ponds during the Jitiya Parv Hindu festival. These incidents took place across 15 districts of the state, as confirmed by a local government official on Thursday.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the victims were participating in ritual bathing, a common practice during the festival, which is meant to ensure the wellbeing of children. Recent floods had swollen the water bodies, significantly increasing the risk of drowning. Despite the dangerous conditions, the festival attendees proceeded with the celebrations, leading to these fatal incidents.
The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media, mentioned that the drownings happened on Tuesday. He also noted that efforts were ongoing to recover three more bodies. The Bihar state government has responded by announcing compensation for the families of each victim.
Jitiya Parv is not only celebrated in Bihar but also extends to neighboring Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, as well as parts of southern Nepal. This festival typically spans several days and is marked by extensive participation.
Incidents like these are not uncommon in India, where major religious festivals often see large gatherings at places of worship. For instance, in July, a crush at an overcrowded Hindu religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh resulted in at least 116 deaths, marking it as one of the worst tragedies in over a decade.
The monsoon season, which lasts from June to September, frequently contributes to such tragedies due to torrential rains and flash floods. This was evidenced in July when over 200 people died in Kerala due to landslides triggered by severe monsoon downpours.