PATNA: Twenty-two people drowned while bathing in rivers and ponds in separate incidents in Bihar, according to officials on Sunday.
These events unfolded within the past 24 hours, with a significant number of the victims participating in the Jivitputrika festival, during which women fast to pray for the well-being of their children.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his condolences for the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of the deceased.
A statement from the chief minister's office provided details of the incidents: Five people lost their lives in Bhojpur, four in Jehanabad, three in both Patna and Rohtas, and two each in Darbhanga and Nawada.
Additionally, one person drowned in Kaimur, Madhepura, and Aurangabad within the last 24 hours.
In one particularly tragic incident in Bhojpur, five young girls, aged between 15 and 20, tragically drowned near Bahiyara Ghat along the Sone River on Saturday.
The incident unfolded when one of the girls was swept away by strong currents while attempting to take a selfie, and four others bravely tried to rescue her.
(With agency inputs)
