Millions Flock To Hindu Festival Amid Coronavirus Spike

One of the largest gatherings of people in the world continues in northern India amid a sharp rise in coronavirus cases and a weakening supply of vaccines.

Almost 3 million Hindu pilgrims have bathed in the Ganges River as part of this year's Kumbh Mela festival, raising concerns that the festival could become a super spreader event. On Monday, the festival's second-holiest day, India's Health Ministry reported nearly 170,000 new coronavirus infections. India's total caseload has become the second-highest in the world after the United States.

On the banks of the Ganges, Hindu prayer music is interrupted by whistles from police, trying unsuccessfully to enforce social distancing rules.

Police are using artificial intelligence-enabled surveillance cameras to spot people not wearing masks. But because of the huge crowds, it's practically impossible to issue fines on those not abiding by the rules, Sanjay Gunjyal, who's in charge of security for the festival, told local media.