Nearly 40 children in India drown during Hindu festival that celebrates children's wellbeing

At least 46 people, including 37 children and 7 women, drowned while celebrating a Hindu religious festival in eastern India, local officials said. 
 

The fatalities were confirmed across 15 districts in the past 24 hours. 
 

A disaster management official said the victims d!ed while performing a bathing ritual in rivers and ponds swollen by recent flooding. 

 

The three-day Jivitputrika festival celebrates children's wellbeing every year and is also marked with mothers fasting for them. 

Officials in Bihar said many people ignored dangerous water levels in rivers while bathing to celebrate the festival. 

There are fears that the overall de@th toll could rise further. 
 

State authorities said families and relatives of the victims will receive compensation.