A video has gone viral from the rain-hit Chennai in which an adult crocodile was seen on the move. The viral video captured the giant reptile crossing the Perungalathur-Nedungundram road reportedly in the early hours of Monday.
The viral video was shot from inside of a car. The driver slowed down as the crocodile was seen slowly crossing the road towards the bushes on the side. A two-wheeler driver was seen overtaking the car and going past the crocodile. However, the man had his eyes fixed on the giant animal which took its time to cross the road.
Meet the 'mugger'
Later on Monday Supriya Sahu, additional chief secretary, environment, climate change and forests confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that the reptile seen in the video was a mugger crocodile.
"Many are tweeting about this video. There are a few mugger crocodiles in several of the water bodies in Chennai. These are shy elusive animals and avoid human contact. This one has come out as the water has overflown due to massive rains under the impact of #CycloneMichuang please do not go close to water bodies. There is no possibility of harm to humans IF these animals are left alone & UNPROVOKED. No need to panic. Wildlife division has been alerted and they are on the job to avoid any untoward incident," the IAS officer jotted on X.
Mugger crocodiles, also known as marsh crocodiles are medium-sized crocodiles endemic to India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal. An adult male may reach up to 4.5 meters (18 ft) in length and weigh 450 kg. Mugger crocs predominantly prey on fish, snakes and birds. They are a species threatened due to Habitat destruction caused by agricultural and industrial expansion, the Wildlife Institute of India's official website said.
WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO HERE:
Crocodile🐊 on the streets of Chennai.#CycloneMichuang pic.twitter.com/ohLGpu4sMG
— Manobala Vijayabalan (@ManobalaV) December 4, 2023
The heavy rains in the city could have brought the crocodile to the human-inhabited areas, experts suspect. Life was thrown out of gear in Chennai and its neighbouring districts on Monday as relentless rains pounded various parts leading to inundation.
Chennai rains and Cyclone Michaung: Latest news
People were seen scampering to buy and refill supplies and essential items with drinking water being in high demand. There was no let-up in the downpour that led to power outages and internet disruption.
Cyclonic storm Michaung, which is likely to cross the coast in Andhra Pradesh on the forenoon of Tuesday lay near Chennai and Puducherry, bringing heavy rains.
Many parts of the state capital and the adjoining districts of Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur came under sheets of water even as the government machinery was deployed to clear the stagnant water and inundation. In the last 24 hours ending 8.30 am today, Perungudi in Chennai received 29 cm rainfall while Avadi in Tiruvallur district recorded 28 cm and Mamallapuram in Chengalpet received 22 cm.
