Patna/Katihar: A grandfather and his two-year-old granddaughter drowned on Sunday after a small metal boat capsized in the Mahananda River in Bihar’s Katihar district, police and local officials said.
The incident occurred in Durgapur panchayat under the Amdabad police station area, near Bahrasal Govindpur village, as the pair attempted to cross a tributary of the river. The boat reportedly lost balance midstream and overturned, throwing both passengers into deep water.
The victims were identified as Ashok Mandal, 49, a resident of Bahrasal Govindpur ward number six, and his granddaughter Ruchita Mandal. According to family members, Mandal was taking the child with him to inspect his maize field located on the opposite bank of the river.
Villagers rushed to the scene after learning of the accident and jumped into the water in an attempt to rescue the pair. After a search, both were pulled out of the river, eyewitnesses said, adding that there were initial signs of breathing, raising brief hopes of survival. They were taken to the primary health centre in Amdabad, where doctors declared both dead on arrival. Family members broke down upon hearing the confirmation, and the village was plunged into mourning.
Residents said Mandal was deeply attached to his granddaughter and often took her along when visiting nearby fields. The deaths of two members of the same family, particularly a young child, have left the village in shock.
Local representatives have called on the administration to provide compensation to the bereaved family. Police said the bodies were sent for postmortem examination, and further procedures are underway.
The incident has once again highlighted the risks associated with unsafe and unregulated boat crossings in rural parts of Bihar.
