Gajapati, Aug. 7 (UDN): A woman and her seven-year-old son lost their lives after a venomous banded krait bit them while they were asleep at their home in Odisha's Gajapati district, officials said on Friday.
The tragic incident occurred at Kadamatal village under Rayagada block, leaving the family and the entire village in mourning.
According to reports, Ajay Kumar Badaraita was sleeping with his wife Lalita (30), their son Amit (7) and their one-and-a-half-year-old daughter when two banded kraits reportedly entered the house late Thursday night. The snakes bit Lalita and Amit on their hands while they were asleep.
The victims woke up in severe pain and raised an alarm, alerting other family members. Ajay, who rushed to their aid, found the two snakes inside the house.
The injured mother and son were immediately taken to the Rayagada Community Health Centre for emergency treatment. As their condition deteriorated, doctors referred them to the District Headquarters Hospital at Paralakhemundi for advanced medical care. Despite efforts to save them, both succumbed to the effects of the snakebite while undergoing treatment.
Ajay Kumar Badaraita and the couple's one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, who were sleeping in the same room, escaped the incident without injuries.
The double tragedy has plunged Kadamatal village into grief, with residents expressing shock over the loss of two members of the same family in a single incident. The deaths have also renewed concerns over the recurring menace of venomous snakebites in rural areas, particularly during the monsoon season when snakes frequently enter human settlements in search of shelter.
