Bihar: 46 Lives Lost In Multiple Drowning Incidents, 37 Children Among Dead

A total of 46 people, including 37 children, lost their lives in multiple drowning incidents across Bihar during the 'Jitiya' or 'Jivitputrika' festival in the past 24 hours, according to a government official.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his condolences over the tragic deaths, which also included seven women, and announced a compensation of ₹4 lakh for the families of the victims.

The drowning incidents were reported from various districts, including East and West Champaran, Aurangabad, Kaimur, Buxar, Siwan, Rohtas, Saran, Patna, Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Gopalganj, and Arwal.

"So far, 43 bodies have been recovered. The kin of the victims will receive ₹4 lakh as ex-gratia. Eight families have already been compensated," a Disaster Management Department (DMD) official stated.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed for search and rescue operations.

The 'Jitiya' festival is observed by mothers for the well-being and prosperity of their children. The drownings occurred as children, accompanied by their mothers, went to bathe in local water bodies.

In Aurangabad district, eight children drowned-four in Itahat village under Baruna police station and another four in Kushaha village of Madanpur police station.

Reports from Kaimur indicated that seven minors drowned in Bhabhua and Mohania police station areas while bathing in the Durgawati river and a pond.

Additional incidents were reported Wednesday evening, with four drownings in Amnabad village under Bihta police station in rural Patna, and five drownings, including two boys, in Daudpur, Manjhi, Taraiya, and Marhaura police station areas in Saran district.

Aurangabad District Magistrate Srikant Shastri said, "The incidents took place when the victims, along with their family members, went for a holy dip in the water bodies."