DAMOH, Madhya Pradesh– A 40-year-old woman was killed by a crocodile on Friday morning while collecting water from the Vyarma River in Kaniyaghat, Pati village of Damoh district, marking another deadly incident in Madhya Pradesh’s growing human-wildlife conflict.
The victim, Malti Bai, had gone to the river to bathe and collect water on the first day of the holy month of Sawan. As she sat near the bank, a crocodile lunged from the water, latched onto her leg, and dragged her under. Despite the desperate efforts of nearby villagers to save her, the reptile vanished into the river with Malti still in its jaws.
A disturbing video of the attack, captured by a villager, quickly went viral and alerted authorities. The Forest Department and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) launched a search operation. After nearly an hour of combing the area, Malti’s body was found tangled in riverside bushes on the opposite bank.
Forest officials stated that the rise in crocodile populations along the Vyarma River had prompted prior safety measures, including public announcements and warning signs. However, locals continue to frequent the river for daily chores, often disregarding the warnings.
“Malti left around 6 a.m. with a companion to collect water,” said a local resident. “While her friend stayed back on the bank, she entered the river with a container. The crocodile attacked without warning. The current was strong, and no one could reach her in time.”
This tragedy mirrors a similar attack last year in Hatri village, also under the same Gram Panchayat, where an eight-year-old boy named Krishna Singh was snatched by a crocodile while bathing. The reptile carried him for hours before his lifeless body was recovered from distant underbrush.
The community remains shaken by the repeated attacks. A rural police officer from Damoh said, “We’re working with the Forest Department to improve awareness and ensure faster response times. People must avoid going near water bodies, especially during early morning hours. The woman’s body has been sent for post-mortem.”
The threat isn’t limited to Kaniyaghat. Crocodile sightings have been reported in surrounding villages like Nohta, Banwar, Mala, and Jujhar—areas not traditionally considered part of crocodile habitats. In some cases, the reptiles have even ventured into farmland and residential areas.
Forest officials suspect that rising water levels and ongoing habitat disruptions may be driving the animals closer to human settlements. As a result, authorities are now considering stricter safety measures, increased surveillance, and relocation initiatives for crocodiles in high-risk zones.
While the Forest Department works to mitigate the crisis, local residents remain fearful and deeply affected by the repeated tragedies along the Vyarma River. (Source: IANS)
