Mumbai: Receding floodwater leaves behind venomous guests

The rescued snakes, including venomous Russell’s viper and ratsnake, have been released into Tungareshwar jungle. Pics/Hanif Patel

The receding rainwater in Vasai-Nalasopara-Virar has left behind plenty of dangerous, unwanted guests. Fire officials said they have been rescuing about 10 venomous and semi-venomous snakes daily from these areas over the past few days.

"Snakes have started to sneak into residential areas, warehouses and open spaces as floodwater has started receding," a fire official told mid-day.

Dilip Palav, the chief fire officer of Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC), said, "On an average, our staff is catching 10 snakes daily. Snakes come out of their holes on two occasions; when the temperature is extreme and when the area gets waterlogged."

"We have captured 150 snakes in the past 10 days. The species include Cobra, the Russell's viper and ratsnake (dhaman). We had captured a lot of snakes during summer, in May, as well," Palav said.

All the rescued snakes have been released into the Tungareshwar jungle, said another fire official.

Virar resident Robin D'mello was surprised by a venomous snake in the courtyard of his house on Saturday. "I immediately called the fire brigade and they came and caught the snake. The officials said it was Russell's viper."

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On Saturday alone, fire officials caught 16 venomous and semi-venomous snakes at different locations in Vasai, Nalasopara and Virar.

On Monday, another Russell's viper was caught from a warehouse of food grains in Vasai East. "My area was completely waterlogged on Sunday. I opened my warehouse the next day and noticed a snake. I called the fire brigade and they reached within 10 minutes and caught it," said Jinay Shah, the owner.

Akhilesh Rai, a Vasai resident, said that at a few locations, snakes were seen slithering through the waterlogged roads.

Vishal Shirke, the in-charge of Virar fire brigade, said, "On getting calls about snake sightings, we leave everything aside to catch the reptiles, as we cannot afford to get late to such a situation."

Another fire official, Satguru Dicholkar from Achola Road fire brigade, said that in some cases snakes get inside a hole or hide somewhere. "Then, we have to struggle hard to catch it."

Most of the fire officials are busy looking for a four-year-old boy from the Nalasopara area who has been missing since Sunday after falling into an open drain. "But, we have kept a few fire officials on standby as snake menace is very common in flood-affected areas. Our officials are also assisting in managing the traffic, as trees have blocked roads at a few locations," said a fire official.

Along with sightings, snakebites also become common in flood-hit areas. VVCMC official Ganesh Patil said, "Last month, nine cases of snake bites were reported. All of them were given anti-venom medicines at the hospitals. The data for July will be updated by the end of month."