Monsoon Menace: Crocodiles Roam Vadodara's Flooded Streets

In Vadodara, Gujarat, the monsoon season brings a unique challenge: crocodiles leaving the Vishwamitri river and wandering into residential areas due to flooding. Last month alone, 21 crocodiles were rescued. The area, home to about 300 crocodiles, sees these encounters rise significantly during heavy rains.

In Vadodara, Gujarat, the annual monsoon season has once again led to crocodiles leaving the Vishwamitri river and making their way into residential areas. An official stated that 21 crocodiles were rescued last month alone.

The Vishwamitri river, spanning 17 kilometers through Vadodara, is home to approximately 300 crocodiles. Encounters with these reptiles are a common occurrence for residents living near the riverbanks, with the number of rescues rising significantly during the monsoon.

Range Forest Officer (RFO) Karansinh Rajput noted that while crocodile rescues from residential zones occur year-round, heavy July rainfall spiked these incidents. ''In June, four crocodiles were rescued, but this number rose to 21 in July,'' he said. Crocodiles navigate flooded streets or use canal networks to move between water bodies, sometimes even appearing in connected lakes like Ajwa.

(With inputs from agencies.)