43 people including 37 children drown to death while taking ‘holy dip’ during ‘Jivitputrika’ festival in Bihar
PATNA, SEPT 26 : As many as 46 people, including 37 children, have drowned while taking holy bath in rivers and ponds across Bihar during three-day long celebration of ‘Jivitputrika’ festival, a statement issued by state government said on Thursday.
In 2023, altogether 22 people had died during the celebration of ‘jivitputrika’ festival in the state. Women observe fast for the well being of their children on the occasion. The three-day festival begins with ‘nahay khay’ and devotees take a holy dip in rivers and ponds on the occasion.
The statement issued by Bihar government on Thursday said that while 43 people died and three others went missing while taking a holy dip in rivers and ponds across the state during ‘jitiya’ or ‘jivitputrika’ festival.
The deaths were reported from 15 districts of the state during the festival, which was observed on Wednesday. “A total of 43 bodies have been recovered so far. Further search operation is underway,” the Bihar disaster management department said.
The drowning incidents took place in East Champaran, West Champaran, Aurangabad, Nalanda, Kaimur, Buxar, Siwan, Rohtas, Saran, Patna, Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Gopalganj and Arwal districts.
While eight people died in Aurangabad, seven in Kaimur, five each in Patna, Saran, East Champaran, three in West Champaran, three in Rohtas, two each in Vaishali, Samastipur and Muzaffarpur, one each in Gopalganj and Arwal districts, respectively.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs.4 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased. “The process of providing the ex-gratia has begin and family members of eight of the deceased have already received it,” the official statement said.
Sources in the state disaster management department said that 22 people had died in separate incidents in the state during ‘Jivitputrika’ festival last year.
The incidents were reported from Bhojpur, Jehanabad, Patna, Rohtas, Darbhanga, Nawada, Kaimur, Madhepura and Aurangabad.
According to official data, five deaths took place in Bhojpur, four in Jehanabad, three each in Patna and Rohtas, two each in Darbhanga and Nawada, one each in Kaimur, Madhepura and Aurangabad districts.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs.4 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased. “The process of providing the ex-gratia has begin and family members of eight of the deceased have already received it,” the official statement said.
Sources in the state disaster management department said that 22 people had died in separate incidents in the state during ‘Jivitputrika’ festival last year.
The incidents were reported from Bhojpur, Jehanabad, Patna, Rohtas, Darbhanga, Nawada, Kaimur, Madhepura and Aurangabad.
According to official data, five deaths took place in Bhojpur, four in Jehanabad, three each in Patna and Rohtas, two each in Darbhanga and Nawada, one each in Kaimur, Madhepura and Aurangabad districts.
-The New Indian Express
