Durga Visarjan: On Wednesday, several people were rescued after drowning during the Goddess Durga idol immersion in Assam’s Sonitpur district.
The incident occurred at the Gabharu River in Missamari, where the water level rose during immersion, according to sources.
Meanwhile, locals who were present near the Gabharu River’s bank swung into action and rescued the devotees.
A similar incident was reported in the Malbazar area of West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district. In an accident during idol immersion, up to eight people died and several others went missing.
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On the other hand,a Durga idol immersion ceremony turned tragic on Wednesday, October 5, when a flash flood hit the Mal River in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri, killing eight people and leaving several others missing.
On Wednesday, a flash flood hit the Mal River in Jalpaiguri’s Malbazar during the immersion of Goddess Durga’s idol. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and civil defense have been deployed in the rescue operation, according to police officials, because several people are still missing.
#WATCH | WB: Flash flood hits Mal River in Jalpaiguri during Durga Visarjan; 7 people dead, several feared missing
Many people were trapped in river & many washed away. Bodies of 7 people were recovered. NDRF& civil defence deployed; rescue underway: Jalpaiguri SP Debarshi Dutta pic.twitter.com/cRT3nnp7Gz
— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2022
It is to be noted that as per various reports, the yearly rituals of immersion of Hindu deity idols during Durga puja, the largest annual Hindu festival in South Asia, increase pollution in the already polluted Ganges River and cause silt deposition. Furthermore, thousands of idols have been immersed in recent decades, which relentlessly pollute these water bodies, causing negative effects on aquatic biota. Idols are typically made of wood, bamboo, straw, jute ropes, clay, and plaster Paris, and are painted with bright synthetic colors, which contribute significantly to pollution in bodies of water.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of those who died in the Jalpaiguri flash flood. “Anguished by the mishap that occurred during Durga Puja celebrations in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Condolences to those who have lost loved ones “According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Modi (PMO).
Saddening news coming from Jalpaiguri as flash flood in Mal river during Durga Puja immersion swept away many people. Few deaths have been reported till now.
I request the DM of Jalpaiguri & @chief_west to urgently step up rescue efforts & provide assistance to those in distress. pic.twitter.com/4dZdm2WlLO— Suvendu Adhikari • শুভেন্দু অধিকারী (@SuvenduWB) October 5, 2022
