A Hindu festival in India causes dozens of children to die

Authorities said Thursday that at least 46 people, mostly children, drowned while bathing in rivers and ponds that were swollen from recent rains. They were celebrating a Hindu religious holiday that millions of people in north India celebrate.

Thirty-seven women and 37 children drowned on Wednesday in 15 districts across the eastern state of Bihar, according to a statement from the state’s emergency management department.

India has had dangerous stampedes during religious events in the past, but it doesn’t happen very often that a lot of people drown during festivals.

According to news sources in the state, some rivers and ponds have grown due to flooding from heavy rains.

People were enjoying Jivitputrika Vrat, an annual festival where women fast for 24 hours and pray for the health and safety of their children. People in their area also bathe in nearby rivers and ponds, sometimes with their kids.

The relatives of each person who died will get 400,000 rupees ($4,784) from the state government, the statement said. $1 is equal to 83.6110 Indian rupees.