What Happened in Madhya Pradesh? Woman Killed by Crocodile

Damoh, July 11 (NationPress) In a tragic instance of human-wildlife conflict occurring in Madhya Pradesh, a deadly crocodile attack transpired at Kaniya ghat in Pati village within Damoh district.

On the morning of Friday, 40-year-old Malti Bai was seated near the Vyarma River, preparing to bathe on the inaugural day of the sacred month of 'Sawan', when a crocodile surged from the depths and seized her.

Despite the heroic efforts of local villagers to save her, the creature vanished into the river, carrying Malti with it. A resident managed to record the distressing event on video, which quickly went viral, prompting an immediate response from authorities.

The Forest Department along with the SDRF team swiftly arrived at the location and initiated a search operation. After about an hour of thorough searching, Malti's body was located entangled in bushes along the opposite riverbank.

Officials from the Forest Department highlighted that the increasing crocodile population in the Vyarma River had already led to preventive measures. Warning signs were placed at several critical points, and public announcements were made to alert residents. Nonetheless, individuals persist in visiting the riverbanks, exposing themselves to danger.

A villager recounted that Malti had departed around 6 a.m. with a friend to gather water. While her companion remained on the riverbank, Malti entered the Vyarma River to fill a container. In a sudden, horrifying incident, a crocodile clamped down on her leg, dragging her into deeper waters. The strong river current prevented nearby villagers from intervening, and despite their urgent attempts, rescue was impossible.

This heartbreaking event recalls a similar incident last year in Hatri village, part of the same Gram Panchayat, where an eight-year-old boy, named Krishna Singh, was taken by a crocodile while bathing. The reptile roamed the area for hours with the child trapped in its jaws before the rescue team discovered his lifeless body in distant bushes.

These attacks have instilled fear and anxiety in the community. “We are working closely with the forest department to ensure a prompt response and raise awareness. Residents need to avoid approaching water bodies, particularly during early hours,” stated a police officer from the Damoh rural police station, adding, “the woman’s body has been sent for post-mortem.”

This issue extends beyond Kaniya ghat in Pati village. Crocodile sightings have emerged in villages such as Nohta, Banwar, Mala, and Jujhar—areas far from major rivers.

In certain instances, crocodiles have entered fields and residential areas, necessitating emergency rescues. Forest officials speculate that rising water levels and habitat disruption may be driving these reptiles into human communities.

Authorities are now contemplating stricter safety protocols and enhanced monitoring in high-risk areas.

While the forest department continues its efforts to relocate crocodiles to safer habitats, the community remains on edge, mourning lost loved ones and preparing for potential future incidents.