Tragedy strikes as dozens of children drown during Hindu festival in India

At least 46 people, including 37 children and seven women, drowned while bathing in swollen rivers and ponds during a Hindu religious festival in north India. The incidents occurred in Bihar during the celebration of the Jivitputrika Vrat festival, where women fast for 24 hours and pray for the well-being of their children. The rivers and ponds were flooded due to heavy rains, leading to the tragic drownings. The state government has announced compensation of 400,000 rupees ($4,784) for the families of each of the deceased. While deadly stampedes during religious events have been seen in the past in India, widespread drowning incidents during festivals are rare. The tragic loss of lives, mostly children, highlights the dangers posed by natural disasters and the need for increased safety measures during festive celebrations near water bodies.

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