Pattamundai: In probably the first case of crocodile attack this season, a 50-year-old woman was reportedly dragged into the Brahmani River by a crocodile while she was washing utensils at Alapuadia village of Alapua panchayat under this block in Kendrapara district, Monday evening. The missing woman has been identified as Manjulata Bhanja. After the news spread in the village, people raised an alarm and tried to search for her, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Villagers Narendra Dhal, Chandan Sahu, and Kishore Raut informed that the Fire department’s rescue team was yet to arrive at the time of reporting. Although there have been multiple sightings of crocodiles in the river, the administration has not taken adequate steps to warn the public, leading to such unfortunate incidents, the villagers alleged.
Notably, Amulya Das, a 45-year old man from Kulasahi village in Penthapal panchayat last year July 27 was attacked by a crocodile during his bath leading to his death. Following that incident, the administration had advised people not to go to the river during floods. As many as six people had been killed in crocodile attacks last year in the state, as per official sources.