A joyous family ritual spiraled into unimaginable sorrow in Bihar’s Sonpur on Wednesday. During the Chauthari Puja—a key post-wedding ceremony—two women drowned in the treacherous Gandak River, while two young children vanished into its depths.
The mishap occurred in Baijalpur village at Jadbharat Sthan, where relatives assembled post the Monday nuptials of Janardan Singh’s daughter. Seeking blessings, four family members entered the river for the customary dip. But the Gandak’s fierce flow proved fatal.
Identified victims Babita Devi, mother of the bride, and relative Gudiya Devi were rescued by alert locals and fishermen. Transferred from Sonpur hospital to Hajipur, medical teams confirmed their demise. Meanwhile, 12-year-old Rishu Kumar and 15-year-old Richa Kumari are still missing, sparking a massive hunt.
SDRF units, police, and administrators comb the riverbanks relentlessly. The village reels from shock, with the family inconsolable. Police sent bodies for autopsy as investigations proceed.
This incident underscores the dangers lurking in seasonal rivers during monsoons or rituals. Authorities plead with the public to prioritize safety, avoid deep waters, and alert rescuers promptly. As search operations press on, hopes linger for rescuing the children amid heightened vigilance.
