8,181 snakebite cases were officially recorded in the last year, 1,488 of which involved venomous bites. Experts believe the true number is much higher, especially in hill regions where data collection is sparse.
The hills of Nepal, once considered too cool and rugged for many venomous snakes, are now becoming home to deadly reptiles long confined to the steamy plains of the Tarai in Nepal’s south. Health experts and scientists warn that climate change is driving this unexpected migration, raising urgent concerns about public health, preparedness, and medical infrastructure in higher-altitude regions.
Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, spokesperson for Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population, attributes this ecological shift directly to global warming. “Warmer temperatures at higher altitudes are facilitating the movement of lowland venomous snakes,” he said. “Clinical records from snakebite patients confirm the presence of Tarai-origin species in the hills.”
Species such as kraits, cobras, and the highly venomous Russell’s viper are among those making this upward journey. Their presence has now been recorded in districts traditionally considered snake-free. Health workers in hilly districts like Dhading, Nuwakot, and Makwanpur have begun treating cases once seen only in the southern plains.
“This is not just a case of a cobra being spotted in Lalitpur,” said Dr. Sher Bahadur Pun, Clinical Research Coordinator at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital in Teku. “It is an early sign that the cobra is adapting to the Kathmandu Valley’s environment.”
In a striking example, a king cobra was spotted and confirmed to have laid eggs in the Gaurishankar Conservation Area – an area that includes Dolakha, Ramechhap, and Sindhupalchok districts, and reaches elevations as high as 7,181 meters. “This was unimaginable until recently,” Dr. Pun remarked. “It demands serious scientific inquiry.”
Hills Increasingly Vulnerable
While the Tarai still accounts for the majority of Nepal’s snakebite cases, experts warn that the hills are increasingly vulnerable. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), snakebites claim around 3,000 lives in Nepal each year, with over 37,000 bite cases reported annually. However, official government data recorded only 150 deaths last year – raising questions about underreporting and the lack of comprehensive surveillance.
From January to mid-July this year alone, Sukraraj Hospital in Kathmandu has treated 378 snakebite patients – many from hilly districts. The number of daily cases surges during the monsoon, reaching as high as 25 per day. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported at the facility this year, but the trend is alarming.
Health infrastructure in Nepal is poorly equipped to handle the rising threat. Of the 89 snake species in the country, 17 are venomous, and only 106 health centres are equipped to treat snakebite cases. Many local clinics lack antivenom or trained personnel. Nepal currently depends on polyvalent antivenom that does not cover all native venomous snakes, such as the green pit viper and the elusive Gurbe snake—both known for their potent venom.
“Even when patients reach the hospital, they sometimes die because the antivenom available does not work on all species,” said Dr. Hemant Chandra Ojha, head of the Zoonotic and Communicable Disease Control Section at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Department (EDCD).
According to Dr. Ojha, the changing climate is behind the broader shift in animal and insect populations. “Just like dengue and malaria have moved to higher altitudes, snakes are following,” he said. “Some may also be transported accidentally with goods from the lowlands.”
Numbers much Higher
The urgency of the situation is magnified by the fact that only about 20 per cent of snakebite victims in rural Nepal reach medical facilities in time. Many live in remote, economically disadvantaged areas where transportation is limited. Timely treatment – ideally within one hour – is crucial for survival.
8,181 snakebite cases were officially recorded in the last year, 1,488 of which involved venomous bites. Experts believe the true number is much higher, especially in hill regions where data collection is sparse.
To mitigate risks, Dr. Budhathoki recommends simple but effective precautions: keep homes and surroundings clean, avoid sleeping on the floor, use mosquito nets, and avoid storing trash that may attract rodents and, in turn, snakes, especially during the monsoon, when snake activity peaks.
As Nepal’s climate continues to warm, the silent danger of venomous snakes in unexpected places is becoming a growing concern. The challenge ahead lies not only in monitoring their movement but in adapting healthcare systems to meet the threat slithering steadily uphill.
Image: Hippopx
