snake bite case rises during flood time

[Guest guest]

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.

 

About 300,000 people evacuated in the past five days have been

staying in

high-rise buildings, schools and cyclone shelters after their houses

were

destroyed in the disaster.

 

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 and nayagarg district

 

His house has been submerged for the last four days and he spends his

nights

awake for fear of snakes.

 

Relief and rescue officials are yet to reach some villages because of

heavy

currents that make it difficult for boats to ply, admitted Sarma.

 

'The situation has improved in some places but the situation

continues to remain

grim in some areas of the coastal districts of Cuttack, Puri,

Kendrapada and

Jagatsinghpur,' Sarma told.

 

Navy personnel and paramilitary forces Tuesday joined the relief and

rescue

mission, hoping to reach the marooned people.

 

'No relief has reached us even though we have been stranded for four

days with

only the open skies for shelter,' said Sukumari Maharana, 50, from

the town of

Puri who has been spending her days on the highway that connects the

state

capital Bhubaneswar to the temple town.

 

Thousands of people huddle under rudimentary tents made of plastic

sheeting and

bamboo poles when it rains.

sanjib kumar das

people for animals

nayagarha chapter

cell no 09437160068