Key Takeaways:

• 57 deaths, 757 incidents across 64 districts since April 14
• 80% of fatalities linked to delayed treatment, reliance on faith healers
• Madhes Province worst-hit: 122 cases, 21 deaths; Lumbini 16 deaths
• Officials warn of kraits' nocturnal bites and limited antivenom supplies

KATHMANDU, AUGUST 7 Delays in reaching medical facilities are turning snakebites into a deadly monsoon hazard in Nepal, with 57 people killed in 757 incidents across 64 districts since April 14, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). Health officials say about 80 per cent of snakebite deaths occur because victims take too long to reach treatment centres, with reliance on faith healers, traditional remedies and home treatments continuing to pose major risks, particularly in rural and Tarai communities. Snakebite incidents typically rise during the monsoon as floods and heavy rain force snakes out of their habitats and into human settlements. Dr Amrit Pokharel, chief of the Epidemiology Management Section at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, said farmers, children and women are among those most exposed. He warned against practices such as tying cords around bites, attempting to suck out venom or seeking traditional treatment. Pokharel also highlighted the danger posed by kraits, which often bite people while they are sleeping. Such bites may cause little pain and leave no visible mark, meaning victims may not realise they have been bitten until the venom spreads. 57 deaths since April According to NDRRMA undersecretary Ram Bahadur KC, between April 14 and August 4 Nepal recorded 57 deaths and 709 injuries from snakebites. Longer-term data show 1,678 incidents and 301 deaths between 2016 and 2026, with a fatality rate of 17.93 per cent. Since April, Madhes Province has been hardest hit, recording 122 incidents and 21 deaths. Lumbini reported 16 deaths, followed by Koshi with nine, Sudurpaschim with seven, Karnali with three and Bagmati with one. Officials say treatment is complicated by limited antivenom supplies, dependence on imports and inadequate intensive-care facilities. The government has identified Kanchanpur, Kailali and Palpa as priority districts for antivenom distribution. Children face higher fatality risks than adults, prompting calls for greater protection and awareness. Nepal is home to several venomous species, including cobras, kraits and Russell's vipers. Health authorities advise using torches at night, wearing boots and long clothing in fields, clearing vegetation around homes, controlling rodents and avoiding sleeping directly on the floor. Officials have also called for snakebite preparedness and awareness campaigns before and during the monsoon, warning that climate change-linked rainfall patterns could further increase human-snake encounters.