File picture of an estuarine crocodile in a Bhitarkanika river

Kendrapara, Oct. 17: The state forest department has sounded a fresh alert of possible reptile attacks at villages near water bodies having linkage to crocodile-infested creeks of the Bhitarkanika system.

The rise in water level has brought in its wake crocodile menace with reptiles on the prowl in the flooded villages under Rajnagar, Rajkanika and Aul tehsil. Villagers have been asked to be on alert while venturing into the water bodies, said an official.

With the Brahmani and Kharasrota rivers in spate, the crocodiles have turned itinerant. The Bhitarkanika river system, which is home to about 2,000 estuarine crocodiles, owes its connectivity to these water bodies. Thus there is every possibility that the flooded river would lead the reptiles to venture into newer areas.

“Departmental alert has been sounded in Gobindapur, Belapala, Nagada, Santhapada, Bandhapada, Ostia, Balisahipatana, Rajnagar, Mahulia, Iswarpur and Chandibausamula gram panchayats that have come under partial flooding of the Brahmani river water,” said Kedra Kumar Swain, officer of the Rajnagar mangrove (forest) division.

“With the river in spate, there are reports of crocodiles straying into water bodies in and around the villages. Therefore, crocodile attack may not be ruled out. We have warned the residents not to venture into the flooded river and its adjoining water bodies,” said Swain.

Panic has gripped more than a dozen riverside villages under Rajnagar tehsil following reports of saltwater crocodiles straying from the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary’s water bodies to the connected river system.

An official of the Rajnagar forest division confirmed crocodile intrusion into the rivulets and creeks and said alert had been sounded.

At least three 6ft long crocodiles have so far been sighted though the reptiles have caused no harm yet either to humans or to animals. As the residents are exposed to possible attack, sarpanchs and gram panchayat representatives have been asked to alert villagers, the forest department sources said. Similarly, at least five gram panchayats of Rajkanika and Aul blocks have been identified as highly susceptible zone for crocodile attack.

The reptiles used to stray in search of food and would leave the place for their original habitat within a few days according to their natural instinct, said a wildlife expert.