Six children drown in floodwaters in Bihar's Bhagalpur

Bhagalpur (Bihar): Six children drowned while bathing in floodwaters in the Sultanaganj block area of Bihar's Bhagalpur district, officials said on Monday.

The incident occurred near a gas warehouse close to Tareta village under Bhirkhurd panchayat.

According to local residents, the children had entered the floodwaters when they reportedly lost their balance and drowned. Residents launched a search operation and informed the Sultanaganj police and the Circle Officer.

The bodies of all six children were subsequently recovered and taken to Sultanaganj Hospital. Arrangements were being made to send the bodies to Bhagalpur for a post-mortem examination. The children were reportedly residents of Dudhailla village.

Speaking to IANS, a relative of one of the deceased children said: "The children had gone to pluck flowers for puja. They did not know that it (the water) was deep. While trying to hold on to each other, they all fell in."

Another relative said, “They left home at 9 a.m. and said they were going. They asked me for two rupees... I gave it to them. Three girls went together.”

The incident comes as several districts of Bihar continue to remain affected by floods amid rising water levels in the Ganga and other rivers.

According to reports citing the state Disaster Management Department, around 40.72 lakh people across 676 gram panchayats in 88 blocks of 16 districts had been affected as of September 20.

The state government is continuing relief and rescue operations across the affected areas. Community kitchens are also being operated at several locations to provide food to displaced residents.

Earlier, on September 19, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary donated one month’s salary to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to support families affected by the floods.

Several political leaders have also announced financial contributions towards flood relief. BJP President Nitin Nabin contributed three months’ salary to the relief fund. Choudhary thanked NDA leaders, MLAs, MPs and ministers who had also donated their salaries.

The BJP state President handed over Rs 51 lakh on behalf of the party to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Several organisations have also extended financial assistance.

Meanwhile, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday urged the Centre and the Bihar government to provide immediate financial assistance of Rs 15,000 each to flood- and drought-hit farmers and declare the situation in the state a national disaster.

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