Snakes add to flood-hit Orissa's woes


Snakes add to flood-hit Orissa's woes Bhubaneswar: It continued to pour in Orissa Tuesday adding to the woes of its four million flood hit people many of whom found themselves facing a new adversary - snakes.

The incessant rains that led to the Mahanadi river and its tributaries overflowing their banks has claimed at least 29 lives and affected about four million people in 18 of the state's 30 districts. Of these, about 500,000 were displaced.

While they struggle for food and shelter, they are also battling snakes.

According to Revenue Secretary G.V. Venugopala Sarma, at least one person has died of snake bite in Kendrapada district. The state government, he said, is doing its bit by sending anti venom medicines and deputing special medical teams to the affected areas.

But it may not be enough.

“A large number of snakes are swimming in the waters; some are alive and some are dead,” said Debendranath Mahali, a resident of Pundilo in the worst hit district of Kendrapada.

His house has been submerged for the last four days and he spends his nights awake for fear of snakes.