Dozens of children tragically drowned in rivers and ponds during a three-day Hindu festival in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, officials reported.
Recent heavy monsoon rains had significantly raised water levels across the region, contributing to the incidents.
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According to a statement from Bihar’s disaster management department, at least 46 people, including 37 children, drowned in various incidents across 15 districts of the state. Authorities have recovered 43 bodies, while three individuals remain missing and are presumed dead.
The drownings occurred during an annual festival where mothers fast for 24 hours to pray for the well-being of their children. Many women, accompanied by their children, visit rivers and ponds for ritual cleansing as part of the celebrations. The festival concluded on Thursday.
The state government has pledged 400,000 rupees ($4,784) in compensation for the families of each victim.
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Unfortunately, accidents such as drownings and stampedes during religious festivals are not uncommon in India. In July, at least 121 people lost their lives in a stampede at a religious event in northern India, exacerbated by overcrowding and inadequate exit routes.