Hyderabad Snake Rescues Rise to 1,300 in 25 Days Due to Delayed Monsoon

The Friends of Snakes Society rescued approximately 1,300 snakes across Hyderabad between June 1 and June 25, surpassing the total number of rescues recorded during the entire month of June last year. According to the rescue organization, a delayed and weak onset of the southwest monsoon prolonged snake activity and led to a spike in human-snake encounters during this 25-day period.

The 1,300 rescued reptiles included more than 500 cobras and around 300 rat snakes. In comparison, the organization rescued about 1,200 snakes during the entire 30 days of June last year.

Avinash V, the general secretary of the Friends of Snakes Society, explained that June is typically a peak period for rescues because snake hatchlings begin to emerge with the onset of the monsoon.

Weather conditions heavily influence snake movements. While early monsoon humidity encourages snakes to move and hatchlings to emerge, continuous rainfall usually reduces sightings.

"When it rains continuously, temperatures drop and snakes prefer to stay hidden in burrows or crevices. Because of the rain, visibility decreases, so people are less likely to spot snakes," Avinash V said.

However, Hyderabad experienced intermittent rainfall and fewer overcast days through most of June due to the weak and delayed monsoon. Rescuers believe these dry and warm conditions kept snakes active above ground for longer, resulting in more encounters with residents.

The organization noted that the rise in rescue calls cannot be attributed to a single weather factor like El Niño. Other environmental and human-driven factors also play a significant role.

"Urbanisation and construction are pushing into earlier forest edges, so encounters are naturally increasing in some areas," Avinash V said.

Increased public awareness has also contributed to the rising number of rescue calls. Rather than killing snakes on sight, more residents are now choosing to contact rescue teams.

Once captured, the snakes are not kept locally. The Friends of Snakes Society safely relocates all rescued snakes to forest areas with the assistance of the Forest Department.

Rescuers expect snake activity to decrease if the monsoon strengthens and brings widespread, continuous rainfall through July.