KODUNGALLUR: The 33rd ward of the Kadukkachuvadu municipality is being shaken by African snails. Most of this ward is overrun with African snails. African snails were first spotted in the area four years ago.

Snails were initially driven away by sprinkling salt powder. But then the effort was futile. The number of snails has increased dramatically. Locals are currently considering ways to prevent snails from taking over the ward. Snails are a major annoyance in drinking water sources and even in residential kitchens. Other areas of the ward are showing signs of the problem spreading.

The residents are now destroying the snails stuck to the farms and walls by wearing gloves and immersing them in fresh water. Every night and early morning, people are making desperate efforts to destroy the snails. A vacant paddy field in the area has been regularly used for grazing elephants for several years. Locals say that snails were first seen from this field. It is suspected that the snails may have arrived in this area from palmyra palm leaves, which are brought for feeding the elephants.

The locals asked the municipal authorities to take steps to get rid of the destructive pests. A group of locals are also involved in snail destruction activities.