Bhubaneswar, June 26: Snakebites are becoming a bigger threat than cyclones and floods in Odisha, claiming over 1,000 lives annually, especially during the monsoon. In just two days, nine people died from snakebites across various districts. Government data reveals nearly 90% of disaster-related deaths in the state are due to drowning and snakebites.
While deaths from lightning and storms have declined, snakebite fatalities surged from 305 in 2016 to 1,001 in 2023. The Odisha Assembly reported 1,859 deaths from snakebites in 2023–24 and 2024–25, with 1,150 in 2023–24 alone.
To address the crisis, the state will launch a Snake Rescue Protection App (SERP) with GIS support, helping users find nearby health centers with anti-venom serum. The Health Department says anti-venom is well-stocked in PHCs, CHCs, district hospitals, and even with ASHA workers and Anganwadi centers in remote areas.
Experts warn that treatment delays are proving fatal, as many victims spend crucial time searching for the right hospital. Often, ICU support is needed but unavailable locally, forcing long transfers.
Activists demand free treatment for the first 48 hours, similar to road accident policies. They also question the ex gratia disparity—₹10 lakh for wild animal attack deaths versus just ₹4 lakh for far more common snakebite fatalities.
