Tragedy struck in Bihar, an eastern state in India, during the Jivitputrika festival, where multiple drownings claimed the lives of 46 individuals, 37 of whom were children. The incidents took place on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, as families congregated near bodies of water for traditional bathing rituals integral to the three-day religious celebration.
Officials from Bihar attributed these fatal incidents to the increased water levels in the region’s rivers and ponds, a result of recent heavy downpours. Despite the heightened risk presented by the swollen waterways, many individuals continued to participate in the festival’s bathing rituals. Authorities fear the death toll may rise even further.
Over a 24-hour span, these drowning incidents were reported across 15 districts in Bihar. Authorities managed to recover 43 bodies, while three people were still missing and feared dead.
In Aurangabad District, a region in Bihar, the situation was particularly severe. Eight children drowned while bathing in local ponds in two villages. “The bodies of seven children there were retrieved as of late Wednesday, but one was still missing,” stated Saurabh Kumar, a district police officer.
The Jivitputrika festival is a long-standing tradition in numerous northern Indian states. As part of the celebration, mothers fast for 24 hours and pray for their children’s long lives. The ritual culminates in a purifying bath in rivers and ponds, often accompanied by their children. Regrettably, many families overlooked the potential risks, and safety precautions seemed inadequate.
These unfortunate incidents are not isolated. In July 2024, a stampede in Uttar Pradesh at a religious congregation resulted in at least 121 fatalities due to overcrowding and inadequate exit routes. Official reports suggest that accidents like these, including drownings and stampedes, are all too common during major religious events in India, often held with minimal supervision or safety measures.
In the wake of this disaster, Bihar’s state government has announced a compensation package for the victims’ families. They are set to receive roughly $4,784 to cover funeral costs and provide support. However, the emotional toll experienced by these families, who participated in a festival meant to bestow blessings, cannot be easily measured.
Besides compensating the victims’ families, local law enforcement and disaster management personnel are probing the circumstances that led to such a high number of individuals bathing in hazardous conditions. Relatives of the victims and affected families are also seeking answers, urging for better management of future events to prevent such a catastrophe from recurring.
