At least four people were dead and about two dozen others feared missing after a boat carrying some 40 persons capsized in the Tamsa River in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district on Monday.
The bodies of four women have been retrieved so far.
According to reports, the boat it capsized apparently due to overcrowding.
Sources said that the people were on their way to a local fair when the accident took place.
Rescue operations are underway with the help of local boatmen.
Further details are awaited.