Palakkad , 31 May (H.S.): Two 13-year-old schoolgirls from different parts of Kerala succumbed to snakebite-related complications on Sunday, triggering grief in their communities and raising fresh concerns about awareness and timely treatment of snakebite cases.

In Alappuzha district, Niya Lenin, a Class 8 student of St. Augustine School, Aroor, died after battling for her life for several weeks. Niya was bitten by a snake on May 7 near a church in Aroor while she was on her way to attend dance classes. According to family members, she managed to return home after the incident but soon collapsed and lost consciousness. She was immediately rushed to a private hospital in Ernakulam, where she remained under intensive medical care. Despite prolonged treatment efforts, Niya passed away at around 7.30 a.m. on Sunday.

In a separate incident in Palakkad district, Rajeshwari, a Class 7 student of Government Lower Primary School (GLPS), Pazhayagramam, Nenmara, also lost her life following a snakebite suffered nearly two weeks ago.

Reports said Rajeshwari was alone at her residence when the snakebite occurred. When family members returned home, they found her unconscious and experiencing seizure-like symptoms. She was first taken to the Nenmara Government Hospital and later shifted to a private medical facility for advanced treatment. As her condition deteriorated, she was transferred to Thrissur Government Medical College Hospital, where doctors continued treatment. However, she succumbed to her condition on Sunday.

The deaths of the two young students within hours of each other have shocked residents and school communities in Alappuzha and Palakkad. Local authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant, especially during the monsoon season when snake encounters tend to increase, and to seek immediate medical attention in suspected snakebite cases.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman