Snakebite emerges biggest disaster in State

| | BHUBANESWAR | in Bhubaneswar

Deaths due to snakebites are rising alarmingly in Odisha, turning out as a major disaster for the people of the State. As many as 1,716 persons were killed due to snakebite in the State during last three years.

While the number of reported deaths due to different disasters during last three years was 4,689, snakebites accounted for the highest number of them with about 37 per cent.

In view of the alarming rate of snakebite deaths, the State Government has declared it as a ‘State Specific Disaster’ (SSD) and compensation of Rs 4 lakh is paid to next of kin of the victim, said Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi.

Mostly farmers and poor men and women in villages are snakebite victims. The State Government has declared it as an SSD. The Union Government is not extending any help to the victims’ families. This is because snakebite is not listed in State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) prepared by the Government of India.

A latest analysis shows 1,716 people lost their lives due to snakebite in 282 blocks of all 30 districts during 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18. The highest 164 deaths occurred in Baleswar district followed by 147 in Ganjam, 145 both in Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj and 114 in Bhadrak district.

Going by blocks, the highest 33 deaths occurred in Basta of Baleswar district followed by 28 in Chandbali in Bhadrak and 26 in Gondia in Dhenkanal district.

According to timing, most of the snakebites took place during May to October. Out of the total 1,716 deaths during last three years, 1,464 deaths, which are about 85 per cent, occurred during these six months. The highest number of deaths were reported in July (314), followed by August (306), June (281), September (253), May (156) and October (154). “This shows snakebite deaths have a definite correlation with rain and flood,” said a concerned official. In fact, monsoon is the hatching season for snakes, which look for damp places in households.

Officials said 97 per cent of the victims are rural residents while 77 per cent of the deaths happen outside health facilities.