Patna: The start of Chhath Puja turned tragic in Bihar as eleven people drowned across seven districts on the occasion of Nahay Khay, marking the first day of the festival. Fatal accidents were reported from Patna, Vaishali, Jamui, Banka, Begusarai, Sitamarhi, and Kaimur, where devotees entered rivers to collect water or clean ghats for the sacred rituals.
In Patna, three boys from the same family lost their lives in the Ganga River at Bankatpur Golindpur Ghat in the Khusrupur police station area. The victims were identified as Saurav Kumar (22), Sonu Kumar (22), and Guddu Kumar (19) — all residents of Ward 17, West Govindpur. According to eyewitnesses, the trio slipped into deep water while cleaning the ghat and were swept away by the strong current. Despite the swift efforts of the DDRF and local divers, all three were recovered dead.
In Vaishali, a minor named Ranveer Paswan, son of local panchayat member Dharamraj Paswan, drowned while bathing in the Ganga near Sultanpur village under the Deshari police station. His younger brother, who accompanied him, was rescued by locals.
Tragedy also struck Jamui, where two youths — Chin Das (18) and Satish Kumar from Bijaiya village — drowned while cleaning a Chhath Ghat in the Batiya police station area. A third youth was rescued and is under treatment.
In Banka, four minors slipped into the Patvai Chandan River while preparing a ghat in the Amarpur police station area. Piyush Kumar (16) of Manjhgayan village died, while three others — Bittu Kumar alias Mantun Das, Nitesh Das, and Vikas Das — were saved by bystanders.
Another drowning was reported from Begusarai, where Mukesh Kumar (27) of Pranpur Ward 13 died after losing balance while bathing in the Ganga at Shivnagar Diara. He was married recently and had moved to his in-laws’ home.
In Sitamarhi, five people were swept away in the Bagmati River at Akhta Ghat in Supi block. Two were rescued, while three others drowned. Fishermen and divers have recovered two bodies; one remains missing.
A 10-year-old boy also drowned in Kaimur while bathing during the ritual.
The series of drowning incidents have cast a shadow over the festive spirit of Chhath Puja, one of Bihar’s most sacred festivals. Authorities have urged devotees to observe caution near water bodies and have deployed additional rescue teams along river ghats to prevent further mishaps.
