LUDHIANA, Aug. 20 -- The district has reported 99 snakebite cases so far this year, surpassing 94 cases recorded during the corresponding period in 2025 and marking a 34% increase over 2024, when 74 cases were reported. Health officials and wildlife experts attribute the rise to monsoon rains that force snakes to come out of flooded burrows, agricultural fields, village pathways and residential areas.

Data from Civil Hospital shows that 18 snakebite cases were reported in June, followed by a sharp rise to 35 in July, while 28 cases have already been recorded in August. Together, the two monsoon months account for 63 of the 99 cases reported this year - nearly 64% of the total. The majority of victims are from rural areas, where farmers a...