People in many areas of Odisha’s coastal belt face the danger of snakebites and crocodiles with floodwaters receding.

While the threat of becoming a victim of snakebite is quite real in almost the entire coastal stretch hit by floods in the Mahanadi basin, crocodile attacks are believed to be common in villages near creeks when floodwaters start receding.

“We are constantly facing the threat from snakes and crocodiles. During flood time when the creeks overflow, crocodiles often move out and stray into village ponds,” said Ramesh Das, a fisherman from Jagatsinghpur district.

A crocodile was spotted recently in Mahanadi in Boudh. Besides around 30 gharial crocodile hatchlings are feared to have been swept away from the Satkosia gorge in the floodwater of the Mahanadi in Angul district.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Satkosia (Angul), Saroj Panda told The Telegraph: “We have rescued a few crocodile hatchlings as the water starts receding in the Mahanadi river system. Search operation is still on to find out the other crocodile hatchlings. We are closely monitoring the situation.”

In the areas close to the creeks in districts such as Kendrapara, the threat is mainly from the saltwater crocodiles. “Now with the Brahmani and Baitarani rivers overflowing, there is a possibility that salt-water crocodiles of the Bhitarkanika sanctuary may enter human habitations. We have a number of instances of crocodiles targeting humans in Rajkanika, Aul and other parts of Kendrapara. The snake remains a threat always during the flood time,” said former Congress MLA Ansuman Mohanty.

Director, environment, Susanta Nanda said: “However, there have been no reports of crocodiles attacking human beings so far this time. Forest officials are keeping a close watch. They will rush as soon as a case is reported.”

On the issue of snakebites, Nanda said: “Snakes come out of their pits when there is a fluctuation in atmospheric temperature and water enters their hideouts. We should always remain vigilant.”

Fire officer Ramesh Chandra Majhi said: “We have asked our teams that while visiting the flood-hit areas they should carry carbolic acid. This acid has a pungent smell which keeps snakes away.”

But carbolic acid, which is normally available in medical stores or shops selling farm accessories, has almost vanished from the market. “At present, one litre of carbolic acid is being sold at Rs 250. But I have no stocks,” said a shop owner.

The state has lost 5,694 lives to snake bits since 2015-16 with the average annual death exceeding 800, making Odisha one of the snakebite prone states in the country. Cases of snakebite deaths have almost doubled in the state rising from 529 in 2015-16 to 1,107 in 2020-21.

Joint special relief commissioner Padmanabha Behera said: “We have adequate anti-venom vials to deal with snakebite cases. All the medical teams have been issued clear-cut instructions on how to deal with snakebite cases. We are also creating awareness on the issue.”