What Happened to the Two Minor Sisters Who Drowned in Khagaria?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Two minor sisters drowned in a boat accident in Khagaria, Bihar.
- The incident occurred amid heavy rain and strong winds.
- Local divers and authorities were involved in the rescue efforts.
- The tragedy highlights the risks of river transport during the monsoon.
- The community is mourning the loss of the two young girls.
Patna, July 28 (NationPress) A devastating boat mishap in the Bean Toli region of Gogri subdivision in Khagaria district, Bihar, resulted in the drowning of two minor sisters on Monday.
The unfortunate victims were part of a group of villagers returning across a tributary after gathering fodder for their livestock when their small boat capsized due to turbulent water currents and sudden adverse weather.
The deceased have been identified as Sanjana Kumari (17) and her younger sibling Pihu Kumari (8), daughters of Devendra Tanti, both hailing from Bean Toli village.
Eyewitness Rajkishore Tanti reported that the group comprised 7 to 10 individuals, all returning from the Diara region across the tributary with animal fodder.
As the boat approached the shore, it became unstable due to swift water and overcrowding, leading to four people falling into the river.
While two individuals managed to swim to safety, the two sisters tragically drowned.
Nearby villagers raised an alarm upon witnessing the incident.
Local divers were summoned to the scene, and the sisters were eventually retrieved from the river. They were rushed to the referral hospital in Gogri.
However, despite immediate medical attention, doctors at the Referral Hospital in Gogri pronounced them dead upon arrival.
Their grieving father, Devendra Tanti, expressed his sorrow, stating, "Both my daughters had gone to gather fodder. The rising water levels in the Ganga have made it challenging to find feed for our animals. They ventured to the Diara area across the tributary, where some grass remained. Tragically, both my daughters fell from the boat and drowned."
Locals mentioned that the accident transpired amidst heavy rain and strong winds, which struck as the group began their journey back.
The dinghy, already overloaded with passengers and fodder, could not endure the stormy conditions.
Ajit Kumar, in-charge of the Gogri Police Station, confirmed, "The bodies of both victims have been recovered. Post-mortem examinations are underway, after which the remains will be returned to the family."
This incident has cast a pall over Bean Toli village, leaving family members and locals in profound grief.
The tragedy has once again spotlighted the perilous state of river transport systems in rural Bihar, especially during the monsoon season, when boat travel is prevalent but often lacks adequate safety measures.