Nagpur: Gadchiroli district has recorded over 1,700 snakebite cases, particularly during the rainy season, over the last three years. This translates to more than one snakebite case a day. But instead of taking the victim to the nearest hospital, locals often resort to home treatment or approach a witch doctor, say officials.The severity of the problem has led the district administration to include it in its annual monsoon disaster management programme. Last month, the administration released an advisory on preventing snakebites. Officials have also begun a drive appealing to the locals to visit hospitals and avoid witch doctors in snakebite cases.In 2023, as many as 542 cases of snakebites were recorded; 479 in 2024 and 580 in 2025. In 2026, 134 cases were recorded from January to June, according to the data compiled by the district administration.In monsoon, snakebite cases rise as the reptiles move out of their water-filled holes in search of dry spaces. But locals often resort to home treatment or take the patients to a local witch doctor, said a govt official.Pamphlets distributed outlining the dos and don’ts stress giving anti-venom doses within an hour of the snakebite, not cutting the part where the snake has bitten or sucking the blood out in an attempt to save the victim.The administration claims it is armed with more than 6,000 doses of anti-snake venom, made available at all the primary health centres (PHCs), apart from the district and sub-district hospitals. Farmers and farmhands have been advised to wear gum boots and gloves while working in the fields, and carry torches in the night.Sleep on cots, keep surroundings clean: AdvisoryThe advisory has urged locals to sleep on cots during the rainy season and keep the precincts of the household clean to prevent snakes from taking shelter in piled-up garbage or stacks of wood. The advisory also calls for covering and filling up suspected snake holes in walls or other parts of their homes.
