Kendrapada: Flooding in riverside villages of Kendrapada and Jajpur districts has triggered fresh concerns over crocodile attacks with many estuarine crocodiles reportedly being swept into inundated villages from their natural habitat in Bhitarkanika National Park.Forest officials have urged residents of flood-affected areas to remain cautious. The warning is meant for villages in Aul, Pattamundai and Rajkanika blocks of Kendrapada district, and, Binjharpur, Korei and Dasarathpur blocks in Jajpur district, where crocodiles were spotted in swollen rivers, ponds and floodwaters.According to forest department data, estuarine crocodiles have claimed five human lives in the last 16 months, 15 lives over the past three years and 31 lives in the last 50 months. “Flood-hit villagers are being advised to move cautiously due to the added risk of displaced crocodiles,” said Bhitarkanika forest range officer Chittaranjan Beura.“It is always a concern during floods,” said Priyabrata Ojha, sarpanch of Balabhadrapur gram panchayat under Pattamundai block. Residents of Srirampur village reported spotting a large crocodile near a pond on Thursday. “Many ponds are usually free of crocodiles, but we suspect floodwaters have brought them into these water bodies,” said Sasmita Sethi, sarapanch of Srirampur gram panchayat.A saltwater crocodile was also sighted in the floodwaters of Alapua village under Pattamundai block on Thursday. Villagers expressed surprise at seeing the reptile in the Brahmani, nearly 30 km from Bhitarkanika, which is home to over 1,800 saltwater crocodiles. Similar sightings were reported from Singhgaon, Taradipal, Penthapala, Andara, Baluria and Balipatana villages under Pattamundai block, besides Dimiripal, Aragala, Desahi and Patapada villages under Aul block. The crocodile sightings have also disrupted the livelihood of local fishermen. “We usually catch fish in the floodwaters, but the presence of crocodiles has made it too dangerous to venture out with our nets,” said Vikram Behera, a fisherman from Penthapala village.Divisional forest officer of Bhitarkanika National Park Varadaraj Gaonkar said the forest department has intensified monitoring in flood-hit areas. “Floodwaters often force crocodiles out of their natural habitat, and they may enter residential areas or even be mistaken for floating debris. So far, no injuries have been reported. Once the floodwaters recede, the displaced crocodiles are expected to return to Bhitarkanika,” he said.
