Kendrapada, Aug. 7 (UDN): An elderly fisherman is feared to have been dragged into the water by a crocodile while fishing in Kendrapada district, triggering a search operation by rescue teams and police.

 Representational Image 

The missing fisherman has been identified as Chakradhar Behera (69), a resident of Barakandha village under Mahakalapada block. A retired Class-IV employee, Behera had reportedly gone to the Guptagiri nullah, a distributary of the Mahanadi River, on Thursday morning to cast his fishing net.

When he failed to return home, concerned family members began searching for him. They found his bicycle and slippers abandoned near the canal, raising fears of a tragic mishap.

According to preliminary reports, Behera’s fishing net may have become entangled in the water. It is suspected that he entered the canal to retrieve it when a crocodile attacked and dragged him away.

On receiving information, personnel from the Mahakalapada Fire Station rushed to the spot and launched a search operation. However, despite extensive efforts, the missing fisherman could not be traced.

Officials believe that the recent flooding in the Mahanadi River may have allowed saltwater crocodiles to enter the Guptagiri canal, increasing the risk of human-wildlife conflict in the area.

Police and rescue teams have continued the search operation, while local authorities are closely monitoring the situation.

The incident has left Behera’s family in deep shock. As the family’s sole breadwinner, his disappearance has cast uncertainty over the future of his dependents and once again highlighted the growing concern over crocodile movement in riverine areas of coastal Odisha.