Rain Deluge Overwhelms NMCH in Patna, Patients Navigate Knee‑Deep Waters and Snakes

A relentless rain spell has overwhelmed the Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) in Patna, turning its orthopaedics ward into a temporary lagoon. Video shared on social platforms shows a small snakelet floating on water that has risen to the patients’ knees.

Visitors and patients are forced to step carefully across the flooded floor, while housekeeping staff attempt to clear the mess with dustbins and mop buckets. Hospital officials say the existing drainage channels are inadequate, leading to overflow that reaches patient care zones.

The situation raises alarms about possible infection outbreaks, as standing water is a breeding ground for bacteria. Moreover, the sight of a snake in a medical environment has sparked panic among patients and their families, who fear the animal could crawl onto beds.

Public health advocates are now demanding a thorough review of the hospital’s infrastructure, emphasizing the need for robust drainage, regular maintenance, and emergency preparedness to protect vulnerable patients during extreme weather.