Gujarat Floods: From Roads To Rooftops, Crocodiles Turning Out To Be Unwanted Visitors In Vadodara | WATCH

Vadodara in Gujarat is facing a unique challenge amid massive floods in the state due to incessant rainfall - the city is dealing with an influx of crocodiles.

This annual monsoon issue arises from the overflowing Viswamitri River, home to around 300 crocodiles. As the water levels rise, these reptiles are being spotted in unusual places across the city.

Several crocodiles have been seen on rooftops, roads, and even within colleges. Videos of these incidents have been circulating on social media, drawing attention to the bizarre situation.

In one video, a crocodile was found on the roof of a flooded house in Vadodara, while another video showed a crocodile entering the campus of Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.

Forest department officials have been working tirelessly to rescue the reptiles, with 10 crocodiles rescued in the last five days.

Range forest officer Karansinh Rajput provided updates, stating, "Two have been released, and 8 are still with us. We will release them when the water level of the river decreases... Today, we rescued a 14-foot crocodile from a house near Kamnath Mahadev temple, one near the Ratri Bazar and an 11-foot crocodile from the Zoology Department of the MS University."

Vadodara is gradually returning to normalcy as the water from the swollen Vishwamitri River begins to recede. The river's water level has dropped from 37 feet above the danger mark to 12 feet.

Gujarat, over the past four days, has been grappling with a severe flood situation due to continuous heavy rainfall. Rescue operations have been underway, with at least 28 people losing their lives in rain-related incidents over three days.

The Army, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), has been deployed to assist in rescue and relief efforts.

Around 40,000 people have been evacuated from the flood-affected areas.

The Indian Air Force has also commenced relief operations, providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief to flood-hit regions. MI-17 helicopters have been air-dropping life-saving essentials to stranded residents in cities like Jamnagar and Vadodara.

(With agency inputs)