Forty-six people, including 37 children Drown in Bihar During Jitiya Festival

Forty-six people, including 37 children, drowned in Bihar during the Jitiya festival celebrations

Bihar witnessed a tragic series of drowning incidents over the past 24 hours, coinciding with the celebration of the Jitiya or Jivitputrika festival, leaving 46 people dead, including 37 children. The festival, observed by mothers praying for the well-being and long life of their children, turned fatal as families went to take holy dips in water bodies across various districts.

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The drowning incidents were reported from several districts, including East and West Champaran, Aurangabad, Kaimur, Buxar, Siwan, Rohtas, Saran, Patna, Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Gopalganj, and Arwal. A disaster management department (DMD) official confirmed that 43 bodies had been recovered as of Thursday evening, and search and rescue efforts were still ongoing. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed to assist in these operations.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his deep condolences to the families of the victims, which included seven women. He announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹4 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased. According to a DMD official, compensation had already been disbursed to the families of eight victims, and further payments are being processed.

One of the worst-hit areas was Aurangabad, where eight children drowned in separate incidents. Four children died in Itahat village under Baruna police station, while another four drowned at Kushaha village in the Madanpur police station area. Similarly, in Kaimur, seven minors lost their lives while bathing in the Durgawati River and a pond in the Bhabhua and Mohania police station areas.

In rural Patna, four people drowned at Amnabad village under the Bihta police station, while five people, including two boys, lost their lives in Daudpur, Manjhi, Taraiya, and Marhaura in Saran district.

Aurangabad District Magistrate Srikant Shastri confirmed that most of the victims were taking a ritualistic dip with their families when the tragedies occurred. The state government has assured that all necessary measures are being taken to support the families and prevent further such incidents.

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