At least 46 people, including 37 children, were drowned while taking holy dip on the account of “Jitiya” festival over the last 24 hours in different areas of Indian state of Bihar.
Indian media reported that the incidents of drowning took place in Champaran, Aurangabad, Kaimur, Buxar, Siwan, Rohtas, Saran, Patna, Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Gopalganj and Arwal districts.
An official of the Disaster Management Department confirmed the development, stating that 43 bodies had been fished out. He said that the kin of the victims will be given four lakh Indian rupees in wake of ex-gratia.
Earlier, Bihar Chief minister Nitish Kumar announced an exgratia of 4 lakh rupees for the families of the victims.
The festival of ‘Jitiya’ is marked by Hindu mothers across India for the well-being and prosperity of their children. The drowning incidents occurred when the children took a holy dip in different water bodies in Bihar.
Report said right children drowned in Aurangabad district, four at Itahat village and another four at Kushaha village of Madanpur police station.
Officials said a search operation is underway at different locations to find the remaining bodies.
