Categories: India

52 bats drop dead in 60 mins, scare UP town

When Pankaj Shahi, owner of a mango orchard in Belghat area, saw a few bats lying dead in a nearby orchard on Tuesday, he informed the forest officials.

By the time the forest team arrived, more bats dropped dead from the trees and the tally had gone up to 52.

Avanish Kumar, Divisional Forest Officer, said: "Three of the bat carcasses have been sent to Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly for examination to know the exact reason behind their death.

"The deaths could have occurred due to the heatwave or even pesticides. It is not right to link the death to Covid-19 right away."

However, within hours, people in Gorakhpur and adjoining areas were in a state of panic.

People have their own reasons for the panic – some logical, some illogical.

Ashok Varma, a senior citizen said, "We have experienced heatwaves earlier too and deaths on such a large scale have never taken place earlier. Besides, who keeps water for bats? There is something wrong about this though the officials are trying to downplay the issue. How can 52 bats drop dead within an hour?"

Vishesh Kumar Singh, who lives in Sahjanwa, insisted that the incident was linked to the coronavirus pandemic.

"I have seen on television that bats are responsible for the coronavirus. Officials must take this seriously and act accordingly. We are all apprehensive because something like this has never happened before," he said firmly.

Pandit Tripurari Mishra, a local pundit, meanwhile, added, "Bats are said to be representatives of Goddess Laxmi. We need to understand that mankind has been facing the fury of nature – be it the extreme cold and now the heatwave conditions, the coronavirus and the locust attack. The deaths of bats in such large number is another ominous sign."

Mishra said that people should organize <em>pujas</em> in their homes to atone for their sins and seek divine intervention.

Dhruv Narain Shahi, in whose orchard, the bats were found dead, however, refused to comment on the incident..

IANS

Recent Posts

Baloch Yakjehti Committee releases documentary to honour Karima Baloch’s legacy

On the 4th death anniversary of human rights activist Karima Baloch, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee…

2 hours ago

EAM Jaishankar to visit US from December 24-29

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit the US from December 24-29 to discuss key…

3 hours ago

Balochistan: Medical students protest campus closure, security crackdown

Students at the Bolan Medical College (BMC) in Balochistan's Quetta entered the 27th day of…

4 hours ago

Climate change, health risks escalate amid surge in PoGB deforestation

The intensifying cutting of trees for firewood in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) is not only worsening…

5 hours ago

India’s retired judges, bureaucrats call for “immediate end” to attacks on minorities in open letter to Bangladesh

A group of retired judges, bureaucrats, Army officials and other civil society members have penned…

6 hours ago

Israel, Slovakia sign historic USD 582 million deal to boost Air Defense capabilities

Israel and Slovakia signed a 2 billion shekel (USD 582 million) agreement on Monday to…

6 hours ago