At least 43 people, including 37 have drowned, and three others were missing while bathing in rivers and ponds in Bihar in separate incidents during the ‘Jivitputrika’ festival, said the state government on Thursday, September 26.
The incidents occurred in 15 districts of the state during the festival held on Wednesday. During the 'Jivitputrika' festival, women fast for the well-being of their children.
The incidents took place in the last 24 hours when a majority of them were bathing for Jivitputrika festival.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar condoled the deaths and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the next of the kin of the deceased. "It is sad that 04 children in Kushha village of Madanpur block under Aurangabad district and 03 children in Ithat village of Barun block died due to drowning while bathing. Instructions have been given to provide ex-gratia amount of Rs. 4 lakhs each to the dependents of the deceased without delay. I pray to God to give strength to the bereaved family to bear the pain in this hour of grief," said in a post on X.