When the heat rises, so do snakebites in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram, April 27
Kerala is confronting an unusual and deeply unsettling consequence of its soaring temperatures, a sharp spike in snakebite incidents across the state.
What was once considered an occasional rural hazard has, in recent days, turned into a widespread public safety concern cutting across districts, age groups, and even the perceived safety of homes.
On a single day, 23 people required ambulance assistance for snakebites, while several others reported suspected encounters.
From Alappuzha to Kozhikode, Malappuram to Thiruvananthapuram, the pattern is strikingly similar, snakes emerging from their natural habitats and entering human spaces.
Experts and local observers point to the relentless rise in mercury levels as the trigger.
With ground temperatures climbing to uncomfortable highs, snakes are being forced out of their burrows in search of cooler environments.
Unfortunately, that often means shaded yards, cluttered compounds, and increasingly, the interiors of homes.
The human stories behind the numbers are sobering.
In Kayamkulam, two young children were among five bitten. In Kozhikode, a young man discovered he had been bitten only after spotting a snake on his bed.
In another chilling incident, a family found multiple venomous snakes hidden across rooms in their house, one on a bed where children had been sleeping moments earlier.
These are not isolated episodes but signs of a shifting ecological balance where human and wildlife boundaries are blurring under climate stress.
Hospitals across Kerala have responded swiftly, ensuring anti-venom serum availability and timely care.
Reassuringly, most victims are reported to be in stable condition, thanks to quick medical intervention.
Yet, the surge raises urgent questions about preparedness and prevention.
Public awareness, better waste and vegetation management around homes, and rapid response systems are now critical.
As Kerala navigates this heatwave, the message is clear, this is no longer just about rising temperatures, it is about adapting to the unforeseen dangers that come with it, one snakebite at a time.
— IANS
Reader Comments
My mother lives in Alappuzha and she called me yesterday in panic because a viper was found under her bed. Thank God she saw it before sitting down. The government needs to start awareness campaigns immediately—tell people to keep doors closed, clear bushes near homes, and check dark corners. Prevention is better than cure, especially when the 'cure' is anti-venom.
I'm a wildlife enthusiast and this doesn't surprise me. When natural habitats shrink and temperatures rise, animals adapt. The real issue is our encroachment into their space and lack of urban planning. Kerala should set up more rapid response snake rescue teams—we have the Forest Department but they're overstretched. Kudos to the hospitals for being prepared though.
Reading this gave me chills. The image of snakes on beds where children were sleeping is haunting. We need better waste management because rodents attract snakes, and with heat driving them inside, it's a recipe for disaster. Also, can we please stop killing every snake we see? Call a rescuer—most bites happen when people try to kill them.
23 people in one day requiring ambulance for snakebites? That's alarming. I'm glad hospitals have anti-venom ready, but what about rural areas where access is limited? The government needs to stock primary health centres with it too. And yes, clear the clutter around your homes—tall grass, piled wood, old tyres are perfect hiding spots for snakes looking for shade.
I'm an expat living in Kochi and honestly
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