At least 46 people – including 37 children and seven women – drowned while celebrating a Hindu festival in eastern India, local officials said.
Deaths have been confirmed in 15 states in the last 24 hours.
The official in charge of disasters said that those who died died while bathing in rivers and lakes that were swollen due to recent floods.
The three-day Jivitputrika festival celebrates the welfare of children every year and is marked by mothers fasting.
Officials in Bihar said many people ignored the dangerous water in the rivers while bathing to celebrate the festival.
There are fears that the death toll may rise significantly.
State authorities said the families and relatives of the victims would receive compensation.
Fatal accidents have occurred in the past across India during major festivals where large crowds gather in crowded places with minimal adherence to safety measures.
In July, at least 121 people were killed in a religious community in northern Uttar Pradesh.
In 2018, about 60 people were killed after the train plowed into a crowd watching Dusshera celebrations, a Hindu festival.
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