A 56-year-old woman, Hemalata Das, lost her life in a horrific crocodile attack on Tuesday morning in Kharinashi village, Kendrapara district.
The incident occurred around 8:00 AM when Hemalata visited farmland near the Galia River, a Mahanadi distributary. A crocodile suddenly lunged from the water and dragged her into the depths. Following a frantic search by villagers, she was rescued and rushed to Ramnagar Hospital, then transferred to the Kendrapara District Headquarters Hospital, where doctors declared her dead upon arrival.
The tragedy has sparked widespread fear and panic across the Mahakalapada block. Distressed locals are now demanding immediate, enhanced safety barriers and aggressive awareness campaigns along riverbanks to curb the rising frequency of lethal reptile encounters.