Gujarat Rains: Hundreds of crocodiles reach Vadodara, videos of alligators on house roofs and streets go viral

Amid heavy rainfall in Gujarat, Vadodara is facing an unusual threat as crocodiles have been sighted in various parts of the city. The overflowing Vishwamitri River has led to these reptiles venturing into human settlements, causing panic among residents. On Thursday, sevral crocodile were spotted resting on the roof of a house and on streets. Videos of several crocodiles on street, roof and coutyards are going viral on social media.

Over 3,000 People Rescued

The city of Vadodara is struggling with severe flooding, particularly in low-lying areas. The Vishwamitri River has been overflowing and has flooded the city, inundating buildings, roads, and vehicles. The river, 17 kilometres of which pass through Vadodara, is home to some 300 crocodiles. As per reports, several allegators have come along with the flooded water in the city.

Over 3,000 residents were evacuated by teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) as flash floods wreaked havoc. The river had crossed the danger mark of 25 feet on Tuesday morning, following heavy rains and the release of dam waters. The flood has raised water levels in 140 reservoirs and dams and 24 rivers across the state. The state has set 122 out of 206 dams under high alert due to the dangerous water levels.

Army Steps In for Relief Operations

In response to the crisis, the Indian Army has been deployed to carry out relief and rescue operations in Vadodara. Six columns of the Army are currently engaged in these efforts across the state. Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel confirmed the Army's involvement in the ongoing rescue operations.


Read More: Gujarat Rains: Cricketer Radha Yadav Rescued by NDRF

Rain-Related Casualties and Evacuations

Gujarat has witnessed over 25 fatalities in rain-related incidents over the past three days. As heavy showers continued to batter the state for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday, approximately 17,800 people were evacuated from flood-affected areas.

IMD Issues Rain Forecast

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted extremely heavy rainfall in isolated parts of Saurashtra on Thursday. The Met Office reported that a deep depression over Saurashtra and Kachchh is likely to move westward into the Arabian Sea, where it may intensify into a cyclonic storm by August 30. Meanwhile, other parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Konkan, and Goa are expected to experience light to moderate rainfall. On Wednesday, districts in the Saurashtra region, including Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Rajkot, and Porbandar, recorded rainfall ranging from 50mm to 200mm within a 12-hour period.