Archive · 5 Aug 2026
Odisha issues crocodile alert as floods bring reptiles to villages
Heavy rain caused rivers in Odisha to overflow and flood nearby villages.
Crocodiles that live in the rivers can now swim into places where people live.
The government is worried about people getting hurt, so it has told everyone to be careful.
Forest workers are going door to door to warn people about the danger.
The government also started a WhatsApp helpline so people can get help or report crocodile sightings.
These crocodiles live in a big nature park called Bhitarkanika National Park.
The park has 117 nests where crocodile babies are being raised.
Sadly, a woman was attacked by a crocodile while bathing in a river and died.
The government says it will give money to the woman's family to help them after this tragedy.
Flood waters in Odisha prompted a government crocodile alert, a door-to-door awareness campaign and a WhatsApp helpline, especially in coastal Kendrapara district.
Rising water levels in the Brahmani, Mahanadi and Baitarani river systems have increased the possibility of crocodiles reaching human habitations.
A 46-year-old woman was killed in a crocodile attack while bathing in a river in Damodarapatana village, Kendrapara, a couple of days earlier.
Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara has 117 active estuarine crocodile nests, according to the latest survey.
Forest department staff are visiting vulnerable villages to educate residents, and the government will pay ex gratia to the victim's family after an inquiry.
- Who
- The Odisha government and forest department officials, residents of flood-hit villages in Kendrapara district, and forest range officer Chitaranjan Beura
- What
- A crocodile alert with a door-to-door awareness campaign and WhatsApp helpline was launched after a 46-year-old woman was killed in a crocodile attack
- When
- Reported on August 4; the fatal attack occurred a couple of days earlier
- Where
- Flood-hit coastal districts of Odisha, India, particularly Kendrapara district, in villages such as Damodarapatana, near the Bhitarkanika National Park
- Why
- Rising water levels in the Brahmani, Mahanadi and Baitarani river systems increased the possibility of crocodiles reaching human habitation through water channels
- Affected rivers
- Brahmani, Mahanadi and Baitarani
- Active crocodile nests
- 117 estuarine crocodile nests in Bhitarkanika National Park
- Fatal attack
- 46-year-old woman killed in Damodarapatana village, Kendrapara
- Government measures
- Crocodile alert, door-to-door awareness campaign, WhatsApp helpline
- Compensation
- Ex gratia to be provided to victim's family after inquiry
- Lead agency
- Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department
- Report date
- August 4
- News agency
- PTI (Press Trust of India)
