The July deluge in Palghar district has turned the Vasai-Virar stretch into snake haven as over two dozen reptiles on an average are rescued daily from the area. A mix of venomous, semi-venomous and non-venomous snakes are among these, a fire official from the Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) told mid-day.

The Vasai-Virar belt was among the worst affected areas in the last monsoon with the residents facing a harrowing experience in July. The situation was so deplorable that for the first time in its history, the Western Railway was forced to collectively summon the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Navy, Army, the Coast Guard along with the Railway Protection Force to rescue over 2,000 passengers stranded in trains mid-way due to water-logging on July 10 — the day the region received 240 mm rainfall. Two days after rain stopped, several areas continued to be severely waterlogged and had no electricity supply. Meanwhile, three people lost their lives after drowning, and hundreds of residents were forced to remain home-bound.