Heavy rains caused terrible floods in India, causing hundreds of crocodiles to crawl ashore, appearing on roads, in parks, in front of people’s porches and even on rooftops, causing panic among residents.
According to local authorities, the worst affected areas were the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, which have large rivers and reservoirs. As floodwaters rose, crocodiles were swept out of the flooded areas and drifted into residential areas. Videos and images circulating on social media showed meter-long crocodiles lying on streets, park lawns and even crawling into people’s homes, causing panic.
“We couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw a crocodile lying right in front of our house. Children in the neighborhood were scared and no one dared to go out,” said a resident of Vadodara, Gujarat.
Faced with the critical situation, authorities and wildlife conservation organizations quickly took action to capture and relocate the crocodiles back to their natural environment. However, this was difficult because the floodwaters had not yet receded and the number of crocodiles appearing was increasing.
The government issued an urgent warning, advising people to limit going out, especially at night, when crocodiles tend to be more active. Rescue groups also set up a hotline to receive information and support crocodile relocation.
Many experts believe that this severe flooding is directly related to climate change. The monsoon season in India has become increasingly erratic, with heavier than normal rainfall causing severe flooding. At the same time, rapid urbanization and the shrinking of natural habitats have forced wildlife, including crocodiles, to migrate into residential areas.
“Floods not only affect humans but also cause serious disruption to the ecosystem. Crocodiles migrating into cities is a consequence of the loss of their natural habitat,” said a wildlife expert.
In the face of this alarming incident, local authorities have called on people to remain calm, avoid panic and follow the instructions of the authorities. At the same time, flood control measures and wildlife habitat protection measures need to be taken more seriously in the future to avoid similar situations.
While waiting for the water to recede and the situation to be brought under control, residents in the affected areas are still living in anxiety, not only because of the natural disaster but also because of the sudden appearance of unwanted “guests” right in their neighborhood.
