Increase in Venomous snake bites in Udupi District
Udupi: In the Udupi district, which is located in the foothills of the Western Ghats, there has been an increase in cases of venomous snake bites in the year 2023, compared to the year 2022.
According to the statistics of the health department's surveillance unit, 572 snake bite cases have been reported in Udupi district during the last three years. 38 in 2021, 260 in 2022 and 274 in 2023 were bitten by venomous snakes and one died in 2023.
Only one death has been reported in the last three years due to the availability of medicines and appropriate treatment in all government hospitals related to snake bites in the district. Also, there are multi-specialty hospitals here, so many people have escaped from danger.
4 Venomous Snakes: Cobra, Kadambala (Kattu snake), Kannadi snake and Garagasa Hurupeya Mandala snake are venomous in the Udupi district. Medicines are available if any of these four snakes bite.
No medicine has been found so far for rattlesnake bites found in the Western Ghats. Because it is very rare for this snake to bite common people. Reptile expert Ajayagiri says that although the strength of the venom of the rattlesnake is less than that of the cobra, the quantity of venom is higher.
The Kannadi snake is most active during the rainy season. It stays in one place for many days and waits for its prey amid the trees. It will only attack to protect itself if it is trampled by those coming for wood. Such cases are often reported in the district. Breeding of most snakes takes place between December and February. The reptile expert has informed there will be more movement during this period.
“All the primary health centres of the district have sufficient stock of medicines related to snake bites. Also, we have all the necessary facilities for treatment. The District Collector has also called a meeting and sought information about this. Although many cases of snake bites have been reported in our district, only one death has occurred. That too, a man with mental problems was bitten by a snake and his death happened because he did not inform his family until his last moment.”
- Dr. I.P. Gadadh, District Health and Family Welfare Officer
“Snakes don't just bite anyone. Cobras give different warnings before they bite. Because if it bites, it will cause more damage. No cases of rattlesnake bites have been reported to the general public. It bites only those who catch it and torture it.”
-Ajay Giri, Reptologist
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Illegally stored gas cylinders seized
Thane (PTI): Authorities have seized illegally stored 1,839 gas cylinders and seven vehicles worth over Rs 67 lakh in the Dombivli MIDC area of Thane district, officials said on Saturday.
A special vigilance team of the Mumbai Rationing Department detected an illegal storage of domestic and commercial LPG cylinders in Phase-2 of Dombivli (East).
Cylinders belonging to multiple gas agencies were found stockpiled in closed vehicles, unauthorised warehouses, and open sheds without mandatory permissions from the Explosives Department, Fire Department, or oil companies, according to an official release.
