At least 46 individuals, predominantly children, have tragically lost their lives due to drowning while bathing in rivers and ponds that have overflowed following recent floods, coinciding with a Hindu religious festival observed by millions across India. Among the deceased are 37 children and seven women, who drowned in various incidents throughout 15 districts in the eastern state of Bihar, as reported by authorities on Thursday. The festival, known as Jivitputrika Vrat, involves women fasting for 24 hours and praying for the health and safety of their children, often leading them to local rivers and ponds for bathing, frequently accompanied by their offspring. In response to this calamity, the Bihar state government has declared a compensation of 400,000 rupees (approximately US$4,784) for the families of each victim.
Incidents resulting in loss of life often occur at places of worship during significant religious festivals in India, which attract millions of pilgrims to sacred locations. Last year, reports indicated that 22 individuals drowned in Bihar within a single day while participating in the same festival. Additionally, in July, a tragic event in Uttar Pradesh led to the deaths of at least 116 people due to overcrowding at a Hindu religious gathering, marking the most severe incident of its kind in over ten years.Every year, India experiences heavy rains and flash floods during the monsoon season from June to September. This monsoon is crucial for agriculture and the livelihoods of countless farmers, but it also brings widespread devastation, including landslides and floods that claim hundreds of lives across South Asia. In July, more than 200 people lost their lives in Kerala when intense monsoon rains triggered landslides that buried tea plantations under massive amounts of rock and soil. Recently, the monsoon rains began to recede from the north-western part of India, occurring nearly a week later than usual, according to the India Meteorological Department. Experts warn that climate change is leading to more extreme weather events globally, and in India, factors like damming, deforestation, and various development projects are worsening the impact on human lives.
In July, over 200 individuals lost their lives in Kerala, a southern state in India, due to heavy monsoon rains that triggered landslides, burying tea plantations under massive amounts of rock and soil. The India Meteorological Department reported that the monsoon rains began to withdraw from the north-west region of the country earlier this week, almost a week later than usual. Experts indicate that climate change is leading to more frequent extreme weather events globally, and in India, factors like damming, deforestation, and various development projects are worsening the impact on people.
