Ludhiana, Sept. 30 -- The city has recorded a sharp spike in snakebite cases this month, coinciding with heavy rainfall during the first two weeks of September. The civil hospital reported 28 snakebite cases so far in September, nearly three times the 10 cases recorded in August. This takes the year's total to 94 cases, compared to 77 during the same period last year.

Wildlife experts attribute the surge to snakes being forced out of their underground habitats by monsoon showers. "Snakebite incidents rise during the monsoon as reptiles move to the surface after rains," said Asmita Narang, wildlife expert at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU).

While the region has several species of snakes, Narang cautione...