India, July 25 -- Gurugram has logged a surge in snake sightings this monsoon, with 85 snakes rescued across the city so far in July, wildlife officials said on Thursday. With a week still left for the month to get over, this is the highest number of snake rescues reported in a single month this year, they added.

The spike, according to wildlife experts, is linked to heavy rainfall and unplanned construction, which is driving snakes out of their natural habitats into homes, residential sectors and even government institutions.

Anil Gandas, a city-based wildlife rescuer who has conducted thousands of rescues since 2011, said this has been his most intense month in recent years. "The majority of the calls are from the Dwarka Expressway st...