Tragic Accident in Chandanpatti Gangwara, Darbhanga: 70-Year-Old Elderly Woman Binda Devi Dies of Snakebite While Plucking Flowers in Her Home Garden
Darbhanga: Amidst monsoons and shifting weather patterns, incidents of snakebites continue to rise steadily across both rural and urban areas of Bihar's Darbhanga district. Adding to this grim trend, deeply tragic and heart-wrenching news has emerged from the Chandanpatti Gangwara locality under the Sadar police station jurisdiction in Darbhanga district. Early in the morning, while plucking flowers for daily prayers in her private garden situated right near her home, 70-year-old elderly woman Binda Devi was bitten by a venomous snake. Following this sudden mishap, the elderly woman's health began to deteriorate rapidly, prompting family members to rush her frantically toward the hospital in an effort to save her life. However, despite the best efforts of doctors, she could not be saved and was declared dead either upon reaching the hospital or immediately after arrival. This sudden and harrowing incident has plunged her entire family and village into deep mourning, while police arrived at the scene upon receiving information to complete legal formalities and dispatch the body for an autopsy.
Description of the Incident: How This Unfortunate Accident Occurred
According to detailed information, Binda Devi, a resident of Chandanpatti Gangwara, remained connected to her familial and religious traditions even at this stage of her life. On the day of the incident, during the early morning hours, she had gone to the garden adjacent to her house to clean up and pluck flowers for worshiping deities.
Sudden Attack by a Venomous Snake: Her foot or hand brushed against a venomous snake hidden amidst the dense greenery, bushes, or leaves in the garden, causing the snake to bite her without offering any chance of defense. The moment she was bitten, the elderly woman experienced intense pain and panic, immediately alerting her family members.
Rapid Deterioration of Health: When family members rushed to the spot and inspected, clear bite marks of the snake were visible on her limbs. Within moments, the venom began to spread throughout her body, causing Binda Devi's condition to worsen rapidly.
The Frantic Dash to the Hospital and Declaration of Death by Doctors
Panic gripped family members and local villagers following the incident. Witnessing the deteriorating condition of the elderly woman, without wasting a single second, arrangements were made to transport her immediately to a nearby hospital or the Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).
Mourning at the Hospital: Throughout the journey, family members made desperate attempts to keep her conscious, but the potency of the venom was so severe that by the time they reached the hospital, her breathing had already stopped. Upon examining her, physicians in the emergency ward pronounced her dead.
Despair Shrouds the Family: As soon as doctors confirmed Binda Devi's demise, the wails of her sons, daughters, and other grieving relatives shattered the atmosphere inside the hospital complex. The sudden loss of an elderly matriarch amidst festive seasons or routine days brought an avalanche of sorrow upon the household.
Police Action and Post-Mortem Procedure
Upon receiving information about the incident, the local police station team promptly sprang into action, assessing the situation at both the deceased woman's home and the hospital.
Taking Custody of the Body: The police gathered complete details of the incident from family members and local residents, drafting an inquest report under legal provisions. Thereafter, the body was taken into custody and dispatched to the DMCH post-mortem house for an autopsy.
Need for Administrative Vigilance: Local residents noted that during the summer and rainy seasons in rural areas, the threat of venomous creatures remains persistent. To prevent such accidents, individuals must exercise extreme caution while entering bushes and gardens.
The tragic death by snakebite of 70-year-old elderly woman Binda Devi in Chandanpatti Gangwara, Darbhanga, once again proves how heavily a momentary lapse in caution can cost while living amidst nature. This accident, occurring during a routine chore like plucking flowers, has shaken the entire society. After completing the post-mortem procedures, the police handed the body over to the grieving relatives, leaving an indelible wound on the hearts of the deceased's family members.
