In a tragic incident, ten children lost their lives due to drowning in two separate locations in Bihar on Sunday. Six children drowned in the Sone River near Tumba village in Rohtas district, while four others met the same fate while bathing near Saraiya Dhala in the Katihar district. Rescue operations were promptly initiated by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), recovering the bodies of the victims. One child remains missing, and one survivor was rescued in Rohtas.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed deep sorrow over the incident and announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹4 lakh for each victim’s family. The CM has also directed local authorities to expedite relief measures for the affected families. This incident adds to the alarming number of drowning-related deaths in Bihar this year, particularly during the monsoon season and festive periods.
Bihar has seen several such tragedies recently, with a significant number of drowning incidents reported in September during the Jitiya festival, which led to the loss of 46 lives, including 37 children, across various districts in the state. The government continues its efforts to prevent such disasters, with rescue teams conducting search operations in vulnerable areas.
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Authorities have urged residents to exercise caution, especially in rural regions where water bodies become more dangerous due to seasonal flooding and strong river currents. The repeated instances of mass drownings highlight the need for enhanced safety measures and community awareness to prevent further loss of life in Bihar’s rivers and ponds.