Sharmili Mallick

Bhubaneswar: As many as six people have lost their lives due to poisonous snakebites in separate incidents across the State in the last 24 hours.

As per reports, two twin sisters succumbed after they were bitten by a venomous snake in the wee hours while they were sleeping inside their house at Bentapur village in Angul district. The deceased have been identified as Rojalin and Sujata, both aged 12.

After primary treatment at Angul District Headquarters Hospital, the girls were subsequently referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack after their condition deteriorated. However, they died while being shifted to Cuttack.

In another incident, a woman and her four-year-old boy were asleep in their house at B Nuapali village under Kodala area of Ganjam district when the duo was bitten by a snake. The child died while being shifted to hospital, while his mother succumbed while undergoing treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur.

“We took my wife and son to Kodala hospital but doctors asked us to shift them to Berhampur. My son died on the way while my wife died during treatment,” said Kalu Parida, husband of the deceased.

Another youth succumbed to snakebite in Kabisuryanagar area in Ganjam district today.

Similarly, one Dharitri Patra, wife of Bidyadhar Patra of Guruma village under Telkoi Police limits in Keonjhar district died after being bitten by a poisonous snake on Sunday night.

There has been a significant rise in the casualties due to snakebites in Odisha. In last five years, 2954 persons lost their lives in separate snakebite incidents in the State, with a highest of 271 casualties reported from Mayurbhanj district. So far, 800 deaths have been reported in the State this year.

“In most cases, people resort to blind beliefs and other traditional methods and delay in bringing the victims to hospital on time. People need to be extra cautious while venturing out in the dark in fields and other places,” said Dr Lambodar Kanhar.

Suvendu Mallick, wildlife warden, Khurda said, “People should ensure that they do not leave any space in their homes through which snakes can enter.”

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