Kendrapara, Aug. 5: Authorities have sounded an alert as the deluge has brought in its wake crocodile menace in waterbodies around the Bhitarkanika National Park.

The possible acts of violence by estuarine crocodiles at the flood-prone villages loom large. Residents have been asked to remain extra cautious and told not to enter the water bodies, said a forest department official.

“There is every possibility that rise in water level might turn the crocodiles itinerant. This trend was noticed in the past when the Brahmani and Baitarani rivers had been in spate. Thus we have sounded warning for safety of people and livestock,” said Rajnagar mangrove (forest) division officer Kedar Kumar Swain.

Alert has been sounded at Gobindapur, Belapala, Nagada, Santhapada, Bandhapada, Ostia, Balisahipatana, Rajnagar, Mahulia, Iswarpur and Chandibausamula gram panchayats that have come under partial flooding of the Brahmani water, said an official.

The department has asked the village body-elected members to make the people aware of possible croc attack.