37 children among 43 people drown in 15 Bihar districts; here’s why

43 people, including 37 children, died due to drowning in separate incidents across Bihar while taking holy dips in rivers and ponds during the 'Jivitputrika' festival in the state on Wednesday.

Bihar deaths: As many as 43 people, including 37 children, drowned in separate incidents in 15 districts across Bihar while taking holy dips in rivers and ponds during the ‘Jivitputrika’ festival in the state on Wednesday. According to state authorities, a total of 43 bodies have been recovered so far, while searches are underway to trace three people who are still missing.

“A total of 43 bodies have been recovered so far. Further search operation is on,” Bihar’s the Disaster Management Department (DMD) said in a statement on Thursday.

According to officials, the drowning incidents took place in 15 districts of Bihar during the ‘Jivitputrika’ festival on Wednesday.

“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,” they said.

In an official statement, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed grief over the deaths and also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the families of the deceased.

The process of providing the ex-gratia has begun and family members of eight deceased have already received it, the statement said.

The ‘Jivitputrika’ festival celebrated in Bihar and other parts of the country during which women fast for the well-being of their children and both take holy dips in rivers, ponds, and other water bodies.

(With inputs from agencies)