In Godagari upazila alone, several vipers have been killed by local farmers this month. Tragically, one farmer has already died from a snake bite, highlighting the growing danger in the fields. The reemergence of these vipers, after a few quieter years, has led to a shortage of harvest workers and heightened anxiety among the farming communities.
 
Farmers in the Rajshahi district of Bangladesh are in fear due to the infestation of venomous Russell's vipers in their fields. As it's the season for harvesting Boro rice, farmers are frequently encountering these snakes in their fields.
 
In Godagari upazila of Rajshahi district, venomous Russell's vipers are often seen in the Boro rice fields. This month alone, local farmers have killed approximately ten Russell's vipers. One farmer, Sanaullah, reportedly died from a snake bite.
 
It is known that Russell's vipers were suddenly spotted in the Barind region after 34 years in 2013. Since then, they have spread widely in Chapainawabganj, Godagari, and Tanore upazilas of Rajshahi. Hundreds of people have died from snake bites. The infestation reappeared between 2017 and 2019. Although the presence of these snakes was less noticeable from 2020 to 2023, the current year has seen an increase in their activity.
 
In areas such as Potahar Palsa, Sultanpur Kacharpara, Kuthipara, Barui Para Keshabpur, Sahapukur, Paharpur, Dhanjoypur, Goma, Chalna, Bhusna, and Rishikul, Russell's vipers have been spotted. With the ongoing rice harvesting season in Godagari, farmers are afraid to go to the fields.
 
On May 5th, a farmer named Sanaullah from Champaknagar village in Godagari Union was bitten by a Russell's viper while harvesting rice near the Padma River, leading to his immediate death. On May 16th, another farmer named Faruk from Sultanpur was able to kill a Russell's viper after spotting it during the rice harvest. Several vipers have been killed this month alone.
 
Within a day, two individuals, including a university student, died from Russell's viper bites, leading to a shortage of harvest workers in the Barind region.
 
On May 5th, a laborer named Samayan Kabir from Anupnagar village in Godagari was bitten by a Russell's viper while working in a field. He was immediately taken to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, where he later died.
 
Assistant Agriculture Officer Atanu Sarkar of Godagari Upazila said that due to a worker's death from a Russell's viper bite, there is now a shortage of workers for rice harvesting. Workers are being advised to wear gumboots to protect themselves from snake bites.
 
On May 4th, in the fields of Muktarpur village in Charghat upazila, Rajshahi University psychology student Shakinur Rahman was bitten by a Russell's viper while picking up a discarded piece of paper. He was taken to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital but died later.
 
Shakinur's cousin Shimul said that after Shakinur's death, fear of Russell's vipers has spread among the people of Charghat. The snakes entering local areas and fields have made people afraid to harvest rice.
 
Dr. Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal, in charge of the ICU at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, said that many who come to the hospital after being bitten by Russell's vipers do not survive, as the snake's venom affects the nervous system immediately. Prompt treatment can save lives, but delays make it difficult.
 
According to a recent study by the Asiatic Society, the reappearance of this venomous snake species in various fields in the Rajshahi region was noted in 2015. Russell's vipers have been seen in 17 districts in the northwest of the country, with the highest infestation in areas near the Padma River in Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, and parts of Naogaon. Over the past eight years, more than four hundred harvest workers in the Rajshahi region have died from snake bites.
 
Regarding the Russell's viper infestation, Mozdar Hossain, Deputy Director of the Rajshahi Agriculture Extension Department, said that farmers are being advised to wear gumboots while harvesting rice. The agriculture department has distributed gumboots in various areas, and 60% of the Boro harvest has already been completed.
 
Upazila Agriculture Officer Moriam Ahmed said that she is aware of the snake problem in the fields. Farmers have reported the issue, and they are being advised not to panic and to carry sticks in the fields. Some farmers have been provided with gumboots, and the Upazila administration plans to distribute 25-30 thousand gumboots to farmers as part of a project.
 
END/V7N/RAR/DK/