An unusual sight emerged from the heavy rains lashing Maharashtra this weekend - a massive crocodile casually roaming a street in Ratnagiri district. The 8-foot reptile was filmed by an autorickshaw driver navigating the flooded streets of Chiplun town, sending social media into a frenzy.
The video shows the large reptile casually strolling down the rain-soaked road, seemingly unfazed by the traffic. Cars and other vehicles can be seen stopping cautiously, with one autorickshaw even appearing to follow the crocodile with its headlights on. Locals suspect the crocodile originated from the nearby Shiva River, which is known to be home to a population of these prehistoric predators.
An X user has shared its clip with the caption, “A large adult Mugger crocodile on the roads of Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, after heavy rain last night. Hope she/he is safe.”
Watch the viral video:
Local expert Sandesh Sansare, the operator of the Kokan Crocodile Safari near River Vashishti, explained that due to recent heavy rainfall in Chinchnaka near the Shiv River bend, the crocodile likely ventured onto the roads in search of drier ground.
The video has sparked both amusement and concern. While some netizens expressed amazement at the rare encounter, others highlighted the potential dangers of a wild animal loose in a populated area. One user showed concern and said, “This is scary.”
This isn't the first time heavy monsoon rains have led to crocodile encounters in Maharashtra. Last year, a similar incident occurred in Vadodara, where a 12-foot crocodile was spotted on the road near the Vishwamitri River. Forest officials were eventually able to capture the reptile and return it to its natural habitat.
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