Tragedy strikes as multiple children drown during Hindu festival in India

At least 46 people, including 37 children and seven women, drowned while bathing in rivers and ponds swollen by recent floods during a Hindu religious festival in north India. The incidents occurred in Bihar, where devotees were celebrating the Jivitputrika Vrat festival. This festival involves women fasting for 24 hours and offering prayers for the well-being of their children, often bathing in rivers and ponds. The flooding was caused by heavy rains, leading to tragic drowning incidents in 15 districts. The state government announced compensation of 400,000 rupees ($4,784) for the families of each deceased individual. While India has seen deadly stampedes during religious events in the past, widespread drowning incidents during festivals are rare. Such tragedies serve as a reminder of the dangers posed by natural disasters and the importance of safety precautions during religious celebrations.

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