Snakebites Surge Amid Devastating Chittagong Monsoon Floods

Torrential monsoon downpours and widespread flash floods have triggered a humanitarian emergency across Chittagong, claiming 13 lives—including six children—and exposing displaced communities to a dramatic surge in venomous snakebites. Official data reveals that 75 individuals have required emergency hospital treatment for snakebites after rising floodwaters forced displaced reptiles out of their natural habitats and into inundated human settlements.

According to a comprehensive disaster assessment signed by Mohammad Masudur Rahman, the Chittagong District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer, these casualties and injuries were recorded across Chittagong city and seven surrounding sub-districts over a five-day period between 7 July and 11 July 2026. Out of the 13 fatalities, seven individuals drowned in floodwaters, whilst the remaining victims succumbed to catastrophic landslides and structural collapses caused by the heavily saturated terrain. The deceased comprise six children, four men, and three women.

The district’s healthcare infrastructure has been severely tested by the dual onslaught of natural hazards and biological threats. A total of 90 people were admitted to various medical facilities with disaster-related injuries. Whilst landslides and collapsing walls injured four individuals, and miscellaneous accidents accounted for 11 cases, snakebites emerged as the overwhelming medical emergency, comprising more than 80 per cent of all recorded admissions.

The comprehensive breakdown of all injuries and regional snakebite incidents recorded by the authorities is detailed below:

Dr Jahangir Alam, the Chittagong Civil Surgeon, confirmed that despite the unusually high volume of snakebite admissions, no fatalities have been recorded from envenomation so far, owing to timely medical intervention and the availability of anti-venom. However, providing care has been logistically challenging. The flooding severely compromised local health infrastructure, damaging 24 community clinics in Satkania and 16 in Banshkhali. Floodwaters also breached the sub-district health complexes of Satkania, Banshkhali, and Boalkhali, though water levels have since begun to recede from the wards.

Public health teams are deployed across the worst-hit areas to prevent waterborne disease outbreaks and manage lingering trauma cases. Emergency workers are actively distributing water purification tablets, oral rehydration salts, paracetamol, and essential medicines to displaced families. Local authorities have warned communities to remain extremely vigilant when navigating flooded rooms, floating debris, and embankments, as the displaced reptile population continues to seek dry sanctuary inside rural and semi-urban households until the monsoon waters fully subside.