Around 200 people bitten by snakes in Thar after monsoon rains

Following recent monsoon rains, a surge in snake activity has led to an alarming rise in snake bite cases across Tharparkar district, according to the Sindh Health Department.

Around 200 people have been bitten by snakes so far this month and have been rushed to local hospitals for treatment. 

Medical professionals report that anti-snake venom (ASV) injections were administered to neutralise the venom, with each patient typically requiring 7 to 10 doses depending on the severity of the bite.

Doctors attribute the spike in incidents to the seasonal behaviour of snakes, which emerge from their burrows following rainfall, stating that this is the breeding season for many snake species.

Due to increased activity, they are more likely to come into contact with humans.

Read: 10-year-old bitten by snake and dead

Experts warn that the Thar Desert is home to more than 10 species of snakes, with some possessing neurotoxic or musculotoxic venom, both of which can be fatal if not treated promptly.

During the breeding phase, snakes not only become more active but may also expel excess venom from their bodies, increasing the risk to people and livestock.

Health authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant, wear protective footwear, and avoid walking through tall grass or bushes, especially at night. Emergency stocks of anti-venom have been dispatched to rural health centres to cope with the growing number of patients.