PATNA: At least 46 people, including 37 children, have drowned while celebrating a Hindu festival in eastern India, a local government official reported to AFP on Thursday.
The drownings occurred in separate incidents across Bihar state as individuals participated in ritual bathing in rivers and ponds that had swelled due to recent flooding. A representative from the Bihar Disaster Management Department (DMD) stated, “People disregarded the hazardous water levels while bathing for the festival,” speaking on the condition of anonymity due to media restrictions.
These incidents took place on Tuesday and Wednesday across 15 districts of Bihar as devotees observed the Jitiya Parv festival, which is dedicated to mothers praying for their children’s well-being. Authorities are currently working to recover three additional bodies, according to the official.
