03 January 2013 | last updated at 11:58PM
Floods force snakes to flee pits
By SHARIFAH MAHSINAH ABDULLAH | [email protected]
DISPLACED: Civil Defence Department caught 61 reptiles last week in Kelantan
KOTA BARU: THE first wave of floods that hit the state last month had not only displaced tens of thousands of victims but also forced snakes out of their pits.
The state Department of Civil Defence (JPAM) officers last week alone caught 61 snakes, including cobras, in the homes of displaced flood victims.
Its operation officer, Mohd Harmizi Mohd Ghani, said of the total number, 29 snakes were caught in Kota Baru, eight in Pasir Putih and seven in Tumpat.
The three districts were affected by the floods for five days, starting from Christmas day.
Harmizi said including last week's figure, the department caught 273 snakes last month.
"The reptiles were from various species, including the cobra.
"They will be handed over to the relevant authorities soon," he said, adding that fortunately, no one was bitten by the snakes.
"The snakes were forced out of their pits due to the floods with some ending up in the flood victims' houses."
Harmizi said JPAM expected to get more emergency calls from people to catch snakes following the second wave of floods which started on Tuesday.
Two state Department of Civil Defence officers holding snakes which were caught in floods last week. Pic by Fathil Asri
