The monsoon brings relief from the heat, but it also brings a serious danger right up to people's doorsteps, snakebites. In Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, Divisional Forest Officer Apoorva Dixit has explained why snakes end up inside homes once the rains set in, and what people should do to stay safe and treat a bite correctly if it happens.
Why Snakes Head Toward Homes During the Rains
Once rainwater floods forests, bushes, drains and the burrows snakes live in, staying underground becomes impossible for them. Forced out in search of dry, safe ground, they move toward populated areas and end up inside people's houses. According to Apoorva Dixit, after entering a home, snakes commonly hide among piles of junk, inside shoes left outside, under beds and sofas, or in dark corners of the house. Bites usually happen when someone accidentally steps on or reaches into one of these spots without realizing a snake is there. This is why snakebite cases during the monsoon months tend to be higher in villages and small towns than in cities, since homes there are surrounded by more open ground and bushes.
Start With Cleaning In and Around the House
The officer pointed out that during the monsoon, plants and bushes grow rapidly and water tends to collect in many spots, conditions that suit snakes perfectly. That is why bushes around the house should be cleared in advance, and the house itself kept clean and tidy. Unused items should not be allowed to pile up as junk, since such piles become favourite hiding spots for snakes. Shoes kept outside should not be left lying around carelessly either, they should be shaken out and checked properly before being worn. This small precaution can prevent a major accident, since snakes often slip into shoes or clothing without making any noise.
Fit Mesh Screens on Drains and Windows
Dixit also explained that snakes frequently enter homes through dirty water drainage paths, so mesh screens should be fitted at all such openings. Windows should also be fitted with mesh screens so that no snake can slip inside easily. People living in rural areas were specifically advised to always wear shoes when stepping outside at night and to never forget to carry a torch, since the risk of accidentally stepping on a snake is highest in the dark. Walking along paths leading to fields or cattle sheds without a light should also be avoided, since snakes often come out onto such paths after rain.
If Bitten, Don't Waste Time on Faith Healing
The DFO reassured villagers that there is no need to panic or run around aimlessly if someone is bitten by a snake. All Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in rural areas are stocked with an adequate supply of anti-venom, around 350 anti-venom injections have been made available at these centres. He was clear that people should never rely on faith healing rituals or home remedies. In many villages, people waste so much time on faith healing that the patient ends up losing their life, even as the venom keeps spreading through the body and the delay makes the condition worse. If the patient is brought to the hospital in time, proper treatment with anti-venom administered at the right time can save their life in most cases.
