Why 'പാമ്പ്' Trended in India: Kerala's Viral Snake Stories and Safety Tips

Around September 24–25, 2026, the Malayalam word 'പാമ്പ്' (snake) saw a significant spike in search interest across India. According to Google Trends, the term experienced roughly 2,000 searches with a growth of about 700% [3]. This trend was driven by two distinct and viral incidents from Kerala: one involving a woman breaking barriers in snake rescue and another involving a risky decision by a snakebite victim.

The 'Snake Chechi' of Palakkad

One of the primary drivers of the search trend was the story of Anandhi from Keralassery, Palakkad. Initially assisting her husband, Surendran, who is a snake catcher and artist, Anandhi developed a passion for the creatures and underwent training to become a professional snake catcher herself [1].

Anandhi and her husband focus on rescuing snakes and ensuring they are safely released back into their natural habitats. However, her story also highlighted administrative hurdles; as of September 24, 2026, Anandhi noted that despite completing her training, she had not yet received a formal snake-rescue license and pointed out shortcomings in the training process [1].

The Kollam Hospital Incident

A more alarming story emerged from Kollam district, where a youth named Ashley from Pallikkal was bitten by a snake while retrieving a shirt from a clothesline in his courtyard [2].

In a move that sparked widespread discussion, Ashley captured the snake and brought it with him to the Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital. He reportedly did this under the belief that identifying the specific species of the snake would help doctors administer the correct antivenom [2]. While officials confirmed he received timely first aid and was monitored by doctors, medical professionals strongly advise against this practice.

Snakebite Safety: What You Should Actually Do

While the youth in Kollam believed bringing the snake was helpful, health experts emphasize that this is dangerous and unnecessary. Modern polyvalent antivenom is designed to treat bites from the most common venomous snakes without needing a physical specimen for identification.

Do's and Don'ts After a Snakebite

• Do: Stay calm and keep the affected limb immobilized and at or below heart level.
• Do: Get to the nearest hospital immediately for professional medical care.
• Do: If possible, take a photo of the snake from a safe distance to help doctors, but never attempt to capture it.
• Don't: Attempt to catch, kill, or carry the snake to the hospital, as this risks further bites.
• Don't: Use tourniquets, cut the wound, or attempt to suck out the venom.