Bihar: 43, including 37 children, drown during Jitiya Parv; the festival is observed by mothers for wellbeing of children

At least 43 people died on Thursday when they drowned while celebrating a Hindu festival in the eastern state of Bihar, officials said.

Of them, at least 37 were children, according to officials.

Devotees drowned in separate incidents across Bihar, as worshippers marked the Jitiya Parv Hindu festival, observed by mothers for the wellbeing of their children.

"People ignored dangerous water levels in rivers as well as ponds while bathing," a local official told AFP. The families of the victims will be compensated by the state.

Deadly incidents are common at places of worship during religious festivals in India. A year ago, 22 people died during the same festival, including 15 children.

Experts say climate change has led to an increase in extreme weather events, with damming, deforestation and development projects in India worsening the human toll.