Snakes in KMC spooks staff, forest dept fails to catch any

Two consecutive days of snake sightings at the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) have left employees and officials uneasy. On Wednesday, a snake was found in the home of Deputy Mayor Atin Ghosh, sparking immediate concern. Then, on Thursday morning, a large snake was reported on the balcony near the Councilor Club, a common resting area for councilors, adding to the tension within KMC headquarters.

The snake sighting near the Councilor Club was reported around 7 a.m., prompting a swift response from the forest department. A team of forest workers from Alipore Zoo arrived with specialized equipment, including hooks and tongs, to locate and safely capture the snake. However, despite a thorough search lasting over an hour, the team was unable to find the snake, ultimately leaving the area without success.

The presence of snakes has unnerved the KMC staff, as sightings within government offices are uncommon. According to Alipore Zoo staff member Somnath Debnath, the snakes might occasionally venture into urban areas in search of food, such as rats, or to bask in the sunlight. He noted that snakes do not pose a direct threat unless provoked and are likely to retreat when left alone. However, the high-profile setting of these incidents has added to the sense of unease among employees.

As a precaution, the forest department team also searched the chambers of Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim but found no sign of the elusive snake. The unsuccessful search has heightened concern, and forest department officials have stated they will continue to monitor the area for any further sightings.