LUCKNOW, July 19 -- Snakebite cases have surged across Lucknow with the onset of the monsoon, as snakes driven out of flooded burrows stray into residential areas. Government hospitals have reported a sharp increase in admissions over the past two months, prompting the health department to step up preparedness.

According to data from the Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), the hospital treated 31 snakebite patients in June and 52 so far in July. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee (Civil) Hospital recorded 29 cases, including 10 in June and 19 in July, while Balrampur Hospital reported 22 cases and Ram Sagar Mishra (RSM) Hospital treated 13 patients during the same period.

District health education and information officer Yoge...