KKN Gurugram Desk | A heartbreaking incident has shaken the residents of Begusarai, Bihar, where four children drowned in the Budhi Gandak River while bathing at a local ghat. The victims, all boys aged between 10 and 14, belonged to the same village in the Khodabandpur police station area, and tragically, three were from the same family, including twin brothers.

The incident occurred at Sahni Ghat near Nurullahpur village, under the Sagi Panchayat of Khodabandpur block, a peaceful area now mourning a devastating loss. According to local sources, eight children had gone to bathe in the river. Four of them were swept away by the current and drowned, while the remaining three managed to escape. One child was rescued by bystanders and is reportedly safe.

Drowning Incident in Begusarai: What Happened

The fatal accident took place on Wednesday afternoon when eight boys from Nurullahpur village, located near Brahmasthan, went to the Budhi Gandak River for a swim. The river, known for its unpredictable currents, proved dangerous yet again.

As the boys ventured deeper into the water at Sahni Ghat, four of them lost control and were dragged away by the strong flow. The other three were able to swim or scramble back to shore. Immediately, cries for help rang through the air, alerting nearby villagers.

Locals quickly rushed to the scene and began rescue operations, assisted by local divers who were familiar with the river’s depth and flow. After an intense search, all four bodies were recovered one by one from the river.

Identities of the Victims Confirmed

The four deceased boys have been identified as:

• Roshan Kumar (12 years) – Son of Kallar Das

• Avinash Kumar and Abhishek Kumar (both 10 years) – Twin grandsons of Kallar Das, sons of Chandsi Das

• Nitish Kumar (14 years) – Son of Ramshobhit Das

All the children were residents of Nurullahpur village under Khodabandpur police station, and were reportedly studying in nearby government schools.

The deaths have left the entire village in mourning, especially the family of Kallar Das, who lost his son and two grandsons in one tragic incident.

Post-Mortem and Police Action

The local police reached the scene shortly after the incident was reported. The bodies were recovered and sent for post-mortem examination at the district hospital to confirm the cause of death.

Speaking to KKNLive, a police official from Khodabandpur station said,

“Initial investigation suggests this was a tragic case of accidental drowning. The children were unsupervised, and the river’s current was unusually strong in that area.”

The administration has not announced any compensation yet, but local authorities have assured that support will be provided to the affected families.

Community in Shock: Grief and Outrage

The mood in Nurullahpur village is one of overwhelming grief and shock. Hundreds of residents gathered near the ghat and the homes of the victims, offering condolences and demanding better safety measures.

Residents shared that children often visit the ghat unsupervised, especially during summer holidays, as swimming in the river is a common recreational activity. However, lack of signage, safety barriers, or lifeguards often results in such tragedies.

“The Budhi Gandak River has claimed many lives in the past. We keep asking for fencing or at least warning signs, but nothing ever gets done,” said a local villager.

Why the Budhi Gandak River Is Considered Dangerous

The Budhi Gandak River, a tributary of the Ganges, flows through several districts in north Bihar and is notorious for strong undercurrents, especially during pre-monsoon months. While it may appear calm on the surface, sudden depth changes and muddy waters make it extremely risky—particularly for children and inexperienced swimmers.

Despite repeated incidents of drowning in Budhi Gandak, safety infrastructure around bathing ghats remains minimal to nonexistent in most areas. The lack of trained divers, public awareness campaigns, and physical barriers puts villagers—especially children—at constant risk.

Parents and Officials Urged to Take Precautions

In the wake of the Begusarai drowning tragedy, local authorities have urged parents to:

• Avoid allowing children to swim unsupervised

• Educate children about river safety and currents

• Keep children away from rivers, ponds, and canals, especially during pre-monsoon months

• Report unsafe riverbanks or missing safety infrastructure to the local panchayat or district administration

Meanwhile, school authorities and local panchayats are being encouraged to conduct awareness sessions on water safety and first aid, particularly in rural riverine areas.

Not the First Incident—A Pattern in Bihar’s Riverbelt

Sadly, this is not an isolated case. Over the past year, Bihar has witnessed multiple drowning incidents involving minors, especially in rural districts with river access such as Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, and Samastipur.

Activists and civil society organizations are urging the Bihar government to:

• Install life-saving infrastructure like ropes, life jackets, and warning signs at major bathing ghats

• Deploy trained rescue personnel in vulnerable zones

• Integrate drowning prevention education into school curriculums

The Begusarai drowning tragedy serves as yet another grim reminder of the urgent need for water safety awareness and preventive infrastructure in rural India. As four young lives are lost, including twin brothers from a single family, the incident demands more than just condolences—it demands action.