The city of Vadodara is grappling with more than just severe flooding after heavy rains caused the Vishwamitri River to overflow. The swollen river has not only inundated large parts of the city but has also unleashed a dangerous threat—crocodiles. Several of these reptiles, some measuring between 10 to 15 feet in length, have been spotted in various parts of the city, including roads, parks, residential areas, and even on the premises of a university. In one alarming incident, a crocodile was found on the roof of a flooded house.
Authorities have been working tirelessly to manage the situation. An official reported that in the past five days, 10 crocodiles have been rescued from the city. “Two have been released, and eight are still with us. We will release them when the water level of the river decreases,” the official told ANI.
The Vishwamitri River, which runs through Vadodara, is known to be home to around 300 mugger crocodiles. During the monsoon season, it is not uncommon for these reptiles to venture into the city, especially when the river floods. This year, the river’s water level reached a peak of 37 feet—12 feet above the danger mark—before receding to 24 feet on Thursday morning.
The annual monsoon migration of crocodiles into residential areas has become a recurring issue for Vadodara residents living near the riverbanks. Range Forest Officer (RFO) Karansinh Rajput highlighted that while crocodile rescues occur throughout the year, the numbers increase significantly during the monsoon. In June, four crocodiles were rescued and returned to the river, but the number surged to 21 in July.
The flooding and crocodile sightings are part of a larger crisis facing Gujarat due to relentless rainfall. In the past five days, rain-related incidents have claimed at least 26 lives across the state. The State Emergency Operations Centre reported that on Thursday alone, 1,785 people were rescued, and 13,183 were relocated to safer areas due to flooding and waterlogging.
As Vadodara battles these twin challenges of floods and wildlife intrusion, the situation remains precarious, with authorities continuing their efforts to safeguard the city’s residents.
Sources By Agencies
