Keonjhar: In a tragic incident, two persons, including a four-year-old girl, died after being bitten by a venomous snake in Dubulabeda village under Ghatagaon police station limits of Keonjhar district today.
The deceased have been identified as Abhay Kumar Mahanta (30) of Dubulabeda village, and Pratima Priyadarshini Mahanta (4), daughter of Prashant Mahanta from Dakshinapasi village in Patana block.
According to reports, Pratima had accompanied her mother to visit Abhay’s house. After dinner, the family members slept on the floor. During the night, both Abhay and Pratima were bitten by a snake.
The victims were discovered in the morning and rushed to Harichandanpur Community Health Centre, where doctors declared Pratima dead on arrival. Abhay, who was in a critical condition, was later shifted to Keonjhar District Headquarters Hospital. Despite efforts, he succumbed while undergoing treatment.
The double tragedy has cast a pall of gloom over the villages, highlighting once again the recurring menace of snakebites in rural Odisha.
