Three sisters die of snake bite, father fights for life

The shocking incident occurred when the family was fast asleep in their thatched-roof house following the celebrations of Nuakhai, one of the most important festivals in western Odisha.

The deceased have been identified as Surabhi (3), Subharekha (12) and Sudhirekha (13), daughters of Sailendra Kumar Mallick. Their father Sailendra, who was also bitten by the snake, is currently in critical condition and battling for his life at VSS Medical College and Hospital in Burla, Sambalpur district.

The family had spent the day celebrating Nuakhai, a traditional festival to celebrate the new harvest, where families come together to thank the goddess Samaleswari for the harvest. After a joyous day, the family went to bed for the night, unaware that disaster would strike in the early hours of the morning.

According to sources, the family was sleeping in their modest thatched house when a venomous snake entered and bit all four of them – Sailendra and his three daughters. The attack occurred around 1 am when they were fast asleep.

Tragically, the family initially decided to seek help from a local quack rather than rushing to the hospital. This delay in medical attention may have sealed the fate of the three sisters.

After the sisters' condition deteriorated, they were finally taken to Boudh District Headquarters Hospital (DHH). Unfortunately, it was too late to save them. Surabhi, the youngest sister, succumbed to the poison while undergoing treatment at just three years old. Her two elder sisters, Subharekha and Sudhirekha, followed soon after.

Her father Sailendra, whose condition also deteriorated, was taken to VSS Medical College and Hospital in Burla where he continues to fight for his life. His condition remains critical and doctors are monitoring him closely.

The tragedy has cast a shadow over Chariapalli village and surrounding areas, especially because it occurred during the Nuakhai festival, a time of celebration, togetherness and renewal for families. For Subharekha and Sudhirekha, who studied in boarding schools and had returned home only for the Nuakhai celebrations, the visit was supposed to be a joyous occasion, the grieving villagers said.