Banai/Baliapal/Chandbali/Kalimela/Dhenkikote: Eight people, including six minors, reportedly died of snakebites in separate incidents across the state over the past 24 hours amid heavy monsoon rains and flooding, officials said Tuesday.
Four deaths were reported in Sundaragada district. Siblings Samir Haro, 11, and Sairan Haro, eight, were bitten by a venomous snake while sleeping at their home in Hatiaada village under Chandiposh police limits Monday night. Family members rushed them to a government hospital in Raurkela, where doctors declared them dead. In another incident, Rabi Bhuyan, 76, and his grandson, Sanjay Naik, eight, were found dead at their home in Tileimal Katei Bhuyan settlement under Tikayatpali police limits.
Police suspect they were bitten by a venomous snake late Monday night. Their bodies were recovered Tuesday morning. Nandita Parmanik, 16, of Bishnupur village in Baliapal block in Baleshwar district was bitten by a snake near the neck while sleeping with her two younger brothers late Monday night. She was taken to the Baliapal community health centre, where doctors declared her dead. In Bhadrak, Sampurna Behe ra, 10, of Mruganayani village under Utukuda panchayat in Chandbali block was bitten by a venomous snake while sleeping early Tuesday morning. She was taken to the Chandbali community health centre, where doctors declared her dead. Ramakrishna Kantari, 17, of Tekguda Colony village under Badigeta panchayat in Kalimela block of Malkangiri district was bitten while sleeping at about 10pm Monday.
An ambulance arrived late, and Kantari was taken to the Kalimela community health centre at about 1am. He died during treatment. In Kendujhar, Arman, 30, a tyre repair shop worker from Bihar, died after being bitten by a snake while sleeping Monday night. He was treated at hospitals in Ghatgaon and Kendujhar but died Tuesday. Police registered unnatural death cases in the incidents and are investigating. Health officials advised residents to remain alert during flooding and seek immediate medical care after snakebites.
Orissa POST – Odisha’s No.1 English Daily
