On Tuesday, 7 July morning a massive seven-foot-long crocodile was spotted near a dargah in the Indian Institute of Management Mumbai (IIM-Mumbai) area in Powai. The reptile had strayed onto the road and taken shelter behind parked vehicles, triggering widespread panic among local residents.
The incident comes on the heels of heavy monsoon spells in Mumbai, which have caused local water bodies to swell. Powai Lake, known to house a significant crocodile population, has been overflowing. “The crocodile likely ventured out of the lake and washed up into the residential zone via an interconnected overflowing storm-water drain,” told ex-corporator Manish Nayar.
As news of the sighting spread, videos quickly went viral on social media, drawing a large crowd of onlookers to the spot. Recognizing the potential danger to both the public and the wildlife, a swift joint operation was launched. Officials from the Forest Department, trained rescue teams, animal welfare organizations rushed to the scene.
The rescue team managed to safely secure the crocodile without any injuries to the animal or the residents.
“During the monsoon, rising water levels in lakes and reservoirs often push crocodiles toward the banks in search of food or safer, calmer shelter,” a Forest Department official explained.
Following the successful rescue, officials confirmed that a preliminary medical examination showed the crocodile is in stable and healthy condition. It will undergo a thorough health check-up before being safely released back into its natural habitat.
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