It has been reported that over the past three days Goa has recorded 371.2 mm of rainfall, the highest for the pre-monsoon period in the past decade. The incessant heavy showers have resulted in flooding of roads and water entering houses in low-lying areas.
One fallout of this flooding, which is often overlooked, is the presence of crocodiles on the roads and at times even entering homes. A crocodile was reportedly rescued from a residential area at Coelhowaddo in Britona-Penha da Franca in the early hours of Thursday. According to locals, the crocodile entered the residential area from nearby fields. Be that as it may, during heavy rainfall, crocodiles may be displaced from their usual habitats in rivers and canals and wander onto roads or into residential areas when there is flooding, as they seek refuge elsewhere.
Incidentally, the mugger or marsh crocodile is the most common type found in Goa and is also the most dangerous to humans. In the past, crocodiles have been spotted in residential areas in Curchorem, Parsem, Vaddem in Vasco, Cavelossim, and several other places. In a rare and alarming incident, recently a woman was seriously injured after being attacked by two crocodiles while washing clothes at a riverbank in Saton-Dabal, leaving her with severe injuries before nearby residents could intervene.
It is absolutely necessary for citizens living near water bodies to be alert to such dangerous situations. Barking of stray or pet dogs at night can be a vital sign of such an unwanted and dangerous guest in the neighbourhood. The Forest Department needs to be quick to respond to distress calls and rescue crocodiles before they attack humans and pets.
