Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Palamu, September 23: Festive celebrations turned into tragedy in Jharkhand on Wednesday after six people, including children, died in separate drowning incidents linked to Karam festival rituals. Four children lost their lives after drowning in the Koel river in Palamu district while another person remains missing. In a separate incident in Patna, a teenage girl also died after drowning, casting a pall of gloom over the festival celebrations.

The tragedy in Palamu occurred at Patariya Khurd village under Chainpur police station, where a group of children had gone to the Koel river to immerse the Karam festival dalis as part of the traditional celebrations.

According to preliminary information, one of the children entered the river during the immersion ritual but suddenly lost balance and was swept away by the strong current. Seeing the child struggling in the water, the others reportedly entered the river in an attempt to help.

However, the Koel river was running with a strong current following the monsoon rains, making the conditions extremely dangerous. The children were unable to withstand the force of the water and five of them were swept away and drowned.

Following the incident, rescue teams and local authorities launched a search operation in the river. The bodies of four children were subsequently recovered, while one child was still missing when the report was filed. The recovery operation was continuing as authorities searched the river and surrounding areas.

The incident has left Patariya Khurd village in deep shock, with the celebrations surrounding the Karam festival giving way to grief. Families of the victims were devastated as news of the tragedy spread through the village.

Karam is an important traditional festival celebrated across Jharkhand and several other parts of eastern and central India. Rituals associated with the festival often involve the Karam branch or decorated Karam dali being taken for immersion, drawing large gatherings to local water bodies.

Authorities have urged people taking part in such rituals to exercise extreme caution near rivers, ponds and other water bodies, particularly during the monsoon when water levels and currents can change rapidly.

In another drowning incident reported from Patna, a teenage girl died after being submerged in water. The incident added to the grief surrounding the festival, with the two separate tragedies claiming six lives.

Police and local administration officials are gathering details of both incidents. The circumstances surrounding the drownings are being examined, while search and rescue efforts in the Koel river continued for the missing child.

The twin tragedies have cast a shadow over Karam festival celebrations, turning what was meant to be a day of traditional rituals and festivities into a day of mourning for the affected families and communities.