Seven girls drowned while bathing in the Ganges at Bakhtiyarpur; search for four is underway.
Patna. On the occasion of the third Monday of the holy month of Sawan, a series of tragic incidents have been reported from Bihar. Amidst news of a stampede at the Ashok Dham temple in Lakhisarai that claimed the lives of seven devotees, a separate incident in Bakhtiyarpur (Patna district)—where seven girls drowned while bathing in the Ganges—has caused alarm. With the help of locals, three girls have been pulled out of the water so far, while four remain missing. An SDRF team has arrived at the scene and is conducting a search operation.
According to reports, a large number of devotees had gathered at the ghats to bathe in the Ganges on this auspicious Monday of Sawan. During this time, seven girls entered the river to bathe in the Bakhtiyarpur area. It is reported that while bathing, they were suddenly caught in deep water and a strong current. Panic ensued among the people present at the ghat when they saw the girls drowning.
Following the incident, locals immediately initiated rescue efforts. Bystanders and local swimmers entered the river to search for the girls. After some effort, three girls were retrieved from the Ganges, but the other four could not be located. The police and administration were informed of the accident, and a rescue team was summoned to the site.
Upon the arrival of the SDRF team, a search operation for the missing girls was launched. Considering the river’s current and depth, the team is searching the surrounding area. Searches are being conducted at various points in the river to locate the missing girls as quickly as possible. Locals are also assisting the rescue team.
A pall of gloom has descended upon the village and the families involved, as it has emerged that several children from the same family were affected by this tragedy. Reports indicate that four daughters of three brothers drowned in the incident. Family members and relatives rushed to the riverbank upon hearing the news. The families of the missing girls are keeping a constant watch on the river, hoping for their safe recovery. Due to it being a Monday in the holy month of Sawan, crowds of devotees had gathered at the Ganga ghats since early morning. Many devotees take a dip in the Ganges before offering water to Lord Shiva; consequently, there was increased footfall at various ghats across Bihar from the morning hours. The incident in Bakhtiyarpur occurred amidst this large gathering of devotees.
During the monsoon season, the water level and flow of the Ganges fluctuate constantly. Water that appears shallow near the ghat can often be quite deep just a short distance away. The risk of accidents increases because it is difficult to gauge the strong currents and depth of the river. Entering the river can be particularly hazardous for children and those who do not know how to swim.
Following the incident, a crowd gathered at the ghat and the surrounding area. Police and administrative teams arrived at the scene and warned people against venturing too far into the river. Controlling the crowd became essential during the rescue operation so that SDRF personnel could search for the missing girls without obstruction.
The Bakhtiyarpur incident occurred shortly after Bihar was shaken by a stampede at the Ashok Dham temple in Lakhisarai on the third Monday of Sawan. Seven people lost their lives in that stampede, which broke out amidst a massive crowd of devotees. News of the seven girls drowning in the Ganges at Bakhtiyarpur, coming so soon after, further heightened concerns.
Large numbers of devotees visit major Shiva temples and Ganga ghats in Bihar during Sawan, with the numbers multiplying significantly on Mondays. In such a scenario, crowd management and safety arrangements at temples and river ghats become crucial. Measures such as installing barricades, deploying trained divers, and preventing people from entering deep water can play a vital role in averting accidents.
The Bakhtiyarpur incident has once again raised questions regarding safety at river ghats. During the monsoon season, river currents can be much stronger than usual. In such a situation, children are advised against entering the river alone and are urged to bathe only in designated safe areas.
Currently, the priority for the administration and the SDRF is to locate the four missing girls. Rescue teams are conducting continuous search operations in the areas surrounding the river, and locals are also present at the scene. An atmosphere of anxiety prevails among the families affected by the tragedy.
Incidents occurring on the same day—a stampede in Lakhisarai and the accident during the holy dip in the Ganges at Bakhtiyarpur—have turned the joy of ‘Sawan Somwari’ into mourning. While three girls have been rescued in Bakhtiyarpur, the search for the remaining four is ongoing. The SDRF team is conducting search operations in the river, and the administration is closely monitoring the situation.