Cobra alert as Kerala’s floodwater recedes
Keralites have been told to beware of snakes as they return to homes they abandoned during flooding in the southern Indian state.
“Snakes are spotted at many flood-hit homes and alerts have been issued to exercise caution when returning home,” Kerala government spokesman Subhash T V said.
“Hospitals have been equipped to face the situation. Instructions have been given to arrange facilities to treat snakebite victims.
“Anti-venom and other necessary medicines are stored at all hospitals, especially those in flood-hit areas.”
About a million people in Kerala are still packed into temporary shelters even though the floods, which have left at least 420 dead and missing, are fast subsiding.
The state government faces a huge task to restore normal life after more than two weeks of widespread flooding that have destroyed or damaged more than 10,000 kilometres of road, washed away tens of thousands of homes, and disrupted water and power supplies.
With the damage estimated at about US$3 billion (Dh11.01bn), state officials said more aid was needed in addition to the funds and relief supplies delivered or pledged by the central government, other states and from abroad.
The UAE, which has a large population of expatriates from Kerala and a long hstory with the state, was among the first of the countries to offer help.
The official relief effort is being led by the Emirates Red Crescent, while businesses, community groups and people have contributed goods and money.
More than 40 tonnes of relief supplies have been sent to Kerala and millions of dirhams have been collected.
Volunteers with the Zayed Humanitarian Campaign have provided treatment for chronic medical conditions that include heart disease, diabetes and hypertension.
The threat of snakebites adds to concerns such as the outbreak of disease as residents attempt to repair damaged homes and begin to return to work.
Hospitals in the worst-hit areas of northern and central Kerala have reported an increase in the number of snakebite cases, local media said.
Vava Suresh, a local snake handler, told the Hindustan
Times newspaper he had received 22 calls from residents and caught five cobras in Ernakulam district.
“One was found inside the wardrobe on the second floor of a house while another one was on a shelf in a house,” Mr Suresh said.
State authorities and wildlife experts have formed teams to assist people who find snakes in their homes.
A snake expert consulted by the government advised returning residents returning home to use a stick to sift through their belongings and not to touch household appliances with bare hands, PTI news agency said.