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Tragedy Strikes Bihar: 46 Drown During Hindu Festival Amid Flooding

Friday 27 September 2024 - 12:04

In a heartbreaking incident during the Hindu festival of Jivitputrika Vrat, at least 46 individuals, predominantly children, lost their lives while bathing in rivers and ponds swollen by recent floods in Bihar, India. The fatalities occurred across 15 districts on Wednesday, with the victims including 37 children and seven women.

The Jivitputrika Vrat festival is a significant event where mothers fast for 24 hours and pray for the well-being of their children. Many participants travel to local water bodies to bathe as part of the rituals, often bringing their children along. Unfortunately, the rising water levels due to continuous rainfall led to tragic drownings as families ignored the dangerous conditions.

The Bihar government has announced a compensation package of 400,000 rupees (approximately $4,784) for each family affected by this tragedy. Local authorities have reported that compensation has already been processed for some families, with efforts ongoing to assist others.

Such incidents are not uncommon during major religious festivals in India, where large crowds often gather at sacred sites. Last year, a similar festival saw 22 drownings within a single day in Bihar. In another tragic event earlier this year, overcrowding at a religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh resulted in the deaths of at least 116 individuals.

India's monsoon season, which lasts from June to September, is essential for agriculture but also brings severe weather challenges. This year has seen particularly devastating floods and landslides across the country, exacerbated by climate change and environmental degradation. In July alone, more than 200 people died in Kerala due to landslides triggered by torrential rains.

As the monsoon begins to retreat from northwestern India, experts warn that climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme weather events globally. The combination of heavy rains and inadequate safety measures during religious observances continues to pose significant risks to communities across South Asia.