Kendrapara, Aug. 29 -- Panic gripped the flood-affected villagers of Pattamundai and Rajnagar blocks in coastal Kendrapara district after giant estuarine crocodiles were sighted in the overflowing Brahmani floodwaters.
Villagers reported spotting the reptiles in several areas, including the Jhadapada canal. Fear of crocodile attacks has left locals reluctant to step into the canal waters, which they believe could be life-threatening.
Residents alleged that during floods, crocodiles often stray into rivers from rivulets and creeks, moving upstream against the current as part of their natural instinct to escape surging waters.
Riverside villagers maintained that the reptiles entered canals from their natural habitat in the water bodies of ...