KATHMANDU: Fifteen people have drowned while taking baths after celebrating Holi festival in Odisha state of India on Tuesday.

As many as 15 revelers drowned in various ponds and rivers while taking baths after celebrating Holi festival in the Indian state on Tuesday BBC quoted security officials as saying.

The local administration had put a ban on bathing in the rivers following incidents of deaths in the previous years.

Untoward incidents had taken place after the merrymakers went to take baths under the influence of alcohol after participating in the Holy revelries.

Cuttack District Collector Bhabani Shankar Chayani has termed this incident as ‘unfortunate.’

Meanwhile, the local administration had announced to provide INRs 400,000 each to the family of victims.

(With inputs from agencies)