Crocodile spotted in Cuttack Kathajodi triggers panic

A crocodile was spotted in the Kathajodi River in Cuttack, Odisha on Saturday triggering panic among locals. 

As per reports, the Gharial is around 8 to 10 feet long and was lying on sand in the middle of the river for over one and a half hours.

According to reports, people gathered on the Trisulia Bridge over the Kathajodi River to take a look at the crocodile which led to a traffic jam. In order to decongest the traffic, Forest Department officials and the Fire Department team reached the spot to disperse the crowd.

With the Shravan month underway, Kanwariyas are regularly going to the riverbank and the locals who go to the river for their daily chores are now filled with fear of getting attacked.

“The crocodile that appeared is a Gharial, which is a fish-eating crocodile. This species normally doesn't attack humans. This Gharial got swept away from the Naraj Barrage due to heavy rainfall recently. This crocodile is basking under the sun after food. We will try to drive it away since it has resulted in heavy traffic, but we are waiting for the rain to stop,” said a Forest Department official at the spot.

“Due to the reduction in Gharial population, these crocodiles have been released in the Mahanadi River on a project basis to increase their numbers,” the official added further.