Continuous rain has caused waterlogging almost everywhere in Lakshmipur, leaving about six and a half lakh people marooned. In some places the water is knee-deep, in others waist-deep. For the past two days, pressure from Noakhali's floodwater has caused flooding in different parts of Lakshmipur.

In this situation, snakes have become a growing menace. Over the past few days, 65 people have been bitten by snakes in different parts of Lakshmipur, and 35 people have reportedly been bitten in Noakhali.

Syed Mohiuddin Abdul Azim, resident medical officer (RMO) of Noakhali General Hospital, and Arup Paul, RMO of Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital, confirmed the figures on Saturday afternoon (24 August).

RMO Arup Paul said 63 snakebite patients had come to his hospital over the past few days, 10 of them in the last two days. Two more were treated at the Ramganj Upazila Health Complex. Some of them had been bitten by venomous snakes.

Syed Mohiuddin Abdul Azim of Noakhali General Hospital said they had treated 35 snakebite patients in the last two days, but the snakes did not appear to have been venomous. He said the hospital had enough antivenom to care for snakebite patients.

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