Many children tragically 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 incident occurred during the celebration of the annual festival of Jivitputrika Vrat in the eastern state of Bihar, with scattered incidents reported across 15 districts. The festival involves women fasting for 24 hours and offering prayers for the well-being of their children, followed by bathing in local rivers and ponds. Some water bodies were swollen by floods following heavy rains, contributing to the drowning incidents. While India has seen deadly stampedes during religious events in the past, widespread drowning incidents during festivals are rare. The state government has announced compensation of 400,000 rupees ($4,784) for the families of each deceased person. Devotees, particularly women and children, were among the victims, highlighting the tragic outcome of what should have been a joyous celebration. The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with natural disasters and the importance of taking necessary precautions during religious and cultural gatherings near water sources.

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