A snake resembling the much-discussed venomous Russell's viper was seen at Kamalnagar in Lakshmipur, a coastal district on the Meghna. Passers-by beat it to death. The snake was seen on the morning of Friday (28 June) on the bank of the Meghna west of the Matabbarhat embankment in the upazila. However, upazila forest officer Md Kamrul Hasan said it was not a Russell's viper.

The Matabbarhat embankment is one of the district's leisure spots, crowded on holidays with visitors from different areas. Local people advise caution when moving around the embankment and other riverside areas.

Venomous Russell's vipers have also been found in neighbouring Chandpur and Noakhali, as reported in the media. Residents of various districts have even been killing snakes of various species, thinking they are Russell's vipers.

Eyewitnesses said several passers-by were walking past when they noticed the snake, which looked like a Russell's viper, and immediately beat it to death with sticks. Pictures of Russell's viper and its aggressive behaviour are now widely known from the media and Facebook, so they killed it on sight, the passers-by said.

About 70 km of the south and west of Lakshmipur is bordered by the Meghna, stretching from Ramgati to Haimchar in Chandpur. Various parts of the river are popular leisure spots, among them the Alexander embankment, Matabbarhat embankment, Motirhat embankment, Altaf Master Ghat and Saju Mollar Ghat, all crowded on holidays. Russell's vipers are more likely to be seen along the Meghna, and aware citizens advise people to move carefully at these spots.

Upazila Red Crescent volunteer Rimon Raju said: "I went to the spot on hearing the news. The snake is still lying there. It looks exactly like a Russell's viper. It must be a Russell's viper."

Kamalnagar upazila forest officer Md Kamrul Hasan said: "The snake was killed, but it was not a Russell's viper. In most respects it does not match the Russell's viper type. It is a snake of some other species, but I cannot give the name for now."

Kamalnagar upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) Suchitra Ranjan Das said people are aware of Russell's viper, and no one visiting the Matabbarhat area goes into the river. "I hope everyone will move carefully in the riverside areas."

Lakshmipur civil surgeon Dr Ahmed Kabir said: "We have 100 vials of antivenom, of which 10 vials have been sent to each upazila. If bitten by a snake, see a doctor quickly, without delay. If the patient is taken to hospital quickly, they can be fully cured with proper treatment."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.