T’puram: A 75-year-old woman died after being bitten by a snake in her house compound on Monday morning. The deceased was identified as Sudharma, of Karatte Peedtikulam Melathil. She was bitten on her right leg around 8am near a well on her premises. According to relatives, she was engaged in routine household chores when the incident occurred. She collapsed soon after the bite, following which relatives and neighbours rushed her to Thiruvananthapuram medical college hospital. However, doctors declared her dead on arrival. The body has been shifted to the hospital mortuary and will be handed over to relatives after postmortem examination. Authorities are yet to officially identify the species of the snake. However, a forest department official said that, based on the nature of the wound, it is suspected to be an ‘anali’ (Russell’s viper), a highly venomous species commonly found in the region. Following the incident, forest and health department officials have urged the public to remain vigilant. With the onset of summer, snakes are more likely to emerge from their burrows in search of water and prey. Residents have been advised to keep premises clean, avoid areas with dense vegetation, and exercise caution near wells and poorly lit surroundings.
