Panic gripped a weekly vegetable market in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur after a cobra hidden inside a pile of bitter gourds (karela) bit a man who was selecting vegetables. The victim was rushed to hospital, while frightened shoppers and vendors scattered as the snake emerged with its hood raised.

The incident occurred at the weekly vegetable market in Nehru Nagar, and a video showing the cobra inside the vegetable pile has since gone viral on social media.

Shopper Bitten While Selecting Vegetables

According to officials, Bihari Sahu, a resident of Bahtarai in the Sarkanda area, had visited the market on Tuesday to buy vegetables.

While sorting through a pile of bitter gourds, a cobra that was allegedly hiding beneath the vegetables suddenly emerged and bit him on the leg before people nearby could react.

He was immediately taken to the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) in Bilaspur, where he is undergoing treatment.

Market Witnessed Panic

The snakebite triggered panic across the crowded marketplace.

Shoppers reportedly abandoned their purchases and ran for safety, while vegetable vendors also rushed away from their stalls. The sudden commotion created a stampede-like situation before the area was brought under control.

Cobra Believed to Have Entered from Nearby Bushes

Eyewitnesses said the cobra had crawled into the market from nearby bushes and concealed itself inside the pile of bitter gourds being sold by a vendor.

When the customer began picking vegetables, the reptile emerged with its hood spread and attacked.

Video Goes Viral Online

Several bystanders recorded videos of the incident, showing the cobra sitting inside the vegetable pile with its hood raised.

The footage has been widely circulated on social media, prompting renewed warnings for people to remain cautious during the monsoon season, when snakes and other venomous creatures frequently move into residential areas, markets and agricultural fields in search of shelter.

Authorities have advised residents to remain alert while handling vegetables stored near open fields or bushes and to seek immediate medical attention in case of any snakebite.