18 People Drown During River Bathing on Third Monday of Sawan in Bihar, Seven Dead; Three Still Missing

18 People Drown During River Bathing on Third Monday of Sawan in Bihar, Seven Dead; Three Still Missing

Patna: Several families were plunged into mourning after multiple drowning incidents were reported across Bihar during river bathing on the third Monday of Sawan. A total of 18 people reportedly drowned in different parts of the state on Monday. Seven people died, while three others remain missing. Search operations are underway with the help of local authorities and SDRF teams. Eight people were rescued safely.

The biggest incident occurred at Ranisary Ganga Ghat in Bakhtiyarpur, Patna, where seven girls reportedly drowned while taking a bath in the river. Local residents managed to rescue three of them, while four were swept away by the strong current. The bodies of three girls have been recovered, while an SDRF team is searching for the fourth.

Similar incidents were reported in Katihar, Muzaffarpur and Madhubani. The tragedies have once again highlighted the need for stronger safety arrangements at river ghats and greater caution while bathing in rivers, particularly during the monsoon season.

Seven Girls Drown in Bakhtiyarpur

Seven girls drowned while bathing at Ranisary Ganga Ghat in the Bakhtiyarpur area of Patna district on Monday. According to the information available, the girls were bathing when they were suddenly caught in a strong current and began being swept away.

People present at the ghat immediately started rescue efforts. Three girls were pulled to safety by local residents, but four others were swept away by the strong current.

After receiving information about the incident, the administration and SDRF team reached the spot. During the search operation, the bodies of three girls were recovered. The search for the fourth girl continued.

The incident created panic at the ghat. When the families of the victims arrived, the atmosphere turned emotional, with relatives crying and searching for information about their loved ones.

Three Children Die in Katihar

Another major incident occurred in Katihar district. Five children drowned while bathing in the Barandi River near Morsanda Kamla Ghat under the Falka police station area.

As soon as the incident came to light, local residents began rescue efforts. Two children were successfully brought out of the river, but three children died.

Local authorities were informed and rescue efforts were initiated. The incident left the families of the deceased children devastated.

The tragedy once again highlights the dangers of allowing children to bathe in rivers without adequate supervision. Water levels and currents can change rapidly, particularly during the monsoon.

Two Teenagers Missing in Muzaffarpur

Another drowning incident was reported at the Burhi Gandak River in Motipur, Muzaffarpur. Five teenagers had gone to bathe at the river ghat near Anjanakot when two of them went missing.

Three teenagers were rescued safely, but the whereabouts of the other two remained unknown. Search operations were subsequently launched.

Local residents and the administration assisted in the search. Strong currents and the depth of the river made the operation difficult. The families of the missing teenagers remained at the riverbank, anxiously waiting for news.

In such cases, time is extremely important because strong river currents can carry a missing person far away from the location where they were last seen.

One Dies in Madhubani

A separate drowning incident occurred in Jhanjharpur, Madhubani, where a person died while bathing in the Kamla River on the third Monday of Sawan.

Rescue efforts were initiated after the incident was reported, but the person could not be saved.

The incident created an atmosphere of grief in the area. People who had gathered at the river for religious bathing were reminded of the importance of exercising extreme caution near the water.

Multiple Incidents on the Same Day Raise Concern

The series of drowning incidents across different parts of Bihar on the same day has raised serious concerns about safety arrangements at river ghats.

Large numbers of devotees visit the Ganga and other rivers during religious occasions. As crowds increase, so does the risk of accidents.

The danger becomes particularly serious when river water levels rise and currents become stronger during the monsoon. Water may appear calm from the surface while strong currents and sudden changes in depth exist underneath.

Children and teenagers are particularly vulnerable because they may not be able to accurately judge the depth or force of the current.

Need for Better Safety Arrangements at Ghats

The repeated drowning incidents highlight the need for stronger safety arrangements at river ghats. Barricades, warning signs, trained divers and rescue teams can help reduce the risk of accidents.

Authorities should ensure that people are encouraged to bathe only in designated and relatively safe areas. Areas with strong currents or dangerous depths should be clearly marked and restricted.

During major religious occasions, additional police personnel and rescue teams should also be deployed to manage crowds and respond quickly to emergencies.

Avoid Strong Currents and Deep Water

The most important safety precaution while bathing in a river is not to underestimate the depth or current of the water.

Many drowning incidents occur when people move only a short distance away from the riverbank and suddenly enter deeper water. During the monsoon, river conditions can change quickly.

Even if the surface appears calm, strong currents may exist below. Moving too far into the river can therefore be extremely dangerous.

Parents and guardians accompanying children should remain with them at all times and should never allow children to approach the water without supervision.

Role of Administration and Local Residents

Local residents often play a crucial role in saving lives during drowning incidents. In Bakhtiyarpur, for example, local people rescued three of the girls. Similarly, two children were rescued in Katihar.

However, trained rescue personnel are equally important. Untrained people who enter a river to save someone can themselves become victims.

Authorities should therefore ensure the availability of trained rescuers, life jackets and other rescue equipment at major river ghats.

Families Left in Mourning

The drowning incidents during the third Monday of Sawan have left several families devastated. People who had left home to participate in religious bathing returned only after facing the tragedy of losing or losing contact with their loved ones.

The incidents in Bakhtiyarpur, Katihar, Muzaffarpur and Madhubani created an atmosphere of grief in the affected areas.

For the families of those who died, the tragedy represents an irreparable loss. Meanwhile, families of those still missing continue to hope that the search operations will locate their loved ones.

Appeal for Greater Caution

The incidents have highlighted the importance of prioritizing safety along with religious faith. People visiting rivers for religious bathing should use designated areas and avoid entering deep water or regions with strong currents.

Children and teenagers should not be allowed to bathe alone. If the current is particularly strong or water levels are unsafe, postponing the bathing activity is the safest option.

The incidents reported across Bihar on the third Monday of Sawan demonstrate how a moment of carelessness near a river can become fatal. With 18 people reportedly drowning, seven deaths and three people still missing, the situation is deeply concerning.

The incidents underline the need for stronger safety arrangements at river ghats, particularly during religious occasions and the monsoon season. At the same time, people must remain vigilant and avoid taking unnecessary risks while bathing in rivers.