46 drownings, including of 37 minors, mar 3-day Bihar fest | Patna News – Times of India

PATNA: As many as 46 people, 37 of them minors, drowned across Bihar while taking a holy dip in rivers and ponds swollen by the recent floods during ‘Jitiya’ festival celebrated in the state for the long life of children.
The deaths were reported from 15 districts of the state over Tuesday and Wednesday, when the festival was celebrated. Of the nine adults who lost their lives, seven were women.
During the three-day festival, mothers stay without food and water for about 24 hours and break their fast after taking a bath.According to the state disaster management department, nine deaths were reported from Aurangabad and five from Saran. “People go inside the rivers/ponds out of enthusiasm, which proved disastrous in many cases,” a department official said.
An official said NDRF and SDRF teams had fished out 43 bodies. “We have paid ex gratia amount of Rs 4 lakh each to eight families,” a statement by disaster management department said.