LUCKNOW, Aug. 15 -- A sharp rise in snakebite cases during the monsoon has pushed a large number of patients from neighbouring districts to Lucknow, highlighting concerns over the availability and accessibility of timely snakebite treatment outside the state capital.

Data from three major government hospitals in Lucknow shows that at least 261 snakebite cases were reported in July. RMLIMS recorded 89 cases, KGMU reported 111 patients in its Trauma Centre casualty area, while Syama Prasad Mukherjee (Civil) Hospital recorded 61 cases.

The trend at RMLIMS is particularly significant. The institute treated 89 snakebite patients in July, compared to 52 in June, an increase of nearly 71%. Of the July patients, 50 came from Barabanki, accounti...