37 Children Among 43 Dead While Taking Holy Dip During 'Jivitputrika' Festival Across 15 Districts In Bihar

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

43 people have died while three others have gone missing while taking holy dip in rivers acorss 15 districts in Bihar during the 'Jivitputrika' festival on Wednesday.

The fatalities, include 37 children, who drowned during the festival while performing the ritual, the state government said in a statement on Thursday.   

During the 'Jivitputrika' festival, women fast for the well-being of their children. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced an exgratia of Rs 4 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased.    

Bihar Disaster Management Department (DMD) said that 43 bodies have been recovered so far and further search operation is underway.

"The process of providing the exgratia has begun and family members of eight deceased have already received it," a state government statement said.  

The incidents of drowning were reported from East and West Champaran, Nalanda, Aurangabad, Kaimur, Buxar, Siwan, Rohtas, Saran, Patna, Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Gopalganj and Arwal districts. Aurangabad reported the highest number of eight deaths, while four deaths were reported from Saran.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary condoled the deaths and said the incident is a matter of concern.

“It is a very unfortunate incident and a matter of concern. The chief minister is closely monitoring the situation. He stands by the families of the deceased in this hour of grief,” Choudhary told reporters.

Meanwhile, RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwary said the administration should have made adequate arrangements at all ghats of rivers.

"It's very tragic that 46 people died yesterday in different parts of the state during this festival... The district administration should have made proper arrangements at all the ghats, not just at the dedicated ones. This shows the state government is least bothered about the lives of people,” Tiwary alleged.

Speaking over the incident, Aurangabad DM Srikant Shastri said, “The district administration makes adequate arrangements for all those who visit the dedicated ghats of rivers/ponds during the ‘Jivitputrika’ festival. Problems arise when people go to local ghats, which are not prepared by the administration."