Sundaragada district was rocked by two separate tragedies on Monday night, with four people—including two children—losing their lives to suspected snakebites within a span of 12 hours.
In Girijatoli village under Chandiposh police limits in Gurundia block, siblings Sameer Haro (10) and his sister Sairen Haro (8) died after reportedly being bitten by a snake while sleeping at home. Both children complained of severe stomach pain around 3 am and were rushed first to a local hospital and then to the Government Hospital in Rourkela, where doctors declared them dead during treatment.
In another incident at Bhuyansahi of Tileimal village under Tikaetpali police limits, a 76‑year‑old man and his eight‑year‑old grandson died after a suspected snakebite while sleeping at their residence. Family members rushed them to Bonai hospital, but doctors pronounced them dead upon arrival.
Police have initiated post‑mortem examinations in both cases to confirm the cause of death. The twin tragedies have plunged the villages into grief and raised concern over the vulnerability of rural households to snakebites, particularly during the monsoon season when such incidents are more frequent.
