Andhra Pradesh: Crocodile Sighting Causes Panic In Krishna River
Officials are making arrangements to bring experts from a zoo in Visakhapatnam or Tirupati, along with local people, to capture the crocodile: Reports
VIJAYAWADA: A crocodile sighted on a sand dune in the Krishna riverbed, upstream of Prakasam Barrage near Tallayapalem, has caused a scare and prompted the water resources authorities to alert fishermen and the public.
Some people noticed the crocodile and cautioned the fishermen about it and they in turn alerted the fisheries department officials, who informed the water authorities, who then sought intervention of the NTR district collector, following which forest officials were asked to capture the crocodile.
Officials are making arrangements to bring experts from a zoo in Visakhapatnam or Tirupati, along with local people, to capture the crocodile.
Krishna conservator R. Ravi Kiran said, “We have sounded an alert among the fishermen and the general public to be cautious about the crocodile until it is captured to avoid any trouble.”
Water authorities suspect that the crocodile may have entered the Krishna basin through the pumps of the Pattiseema lift irrigation project, through which Godavari water has been diverted to the Krishna basin in recent days.
The Pattiseema project has 24 pumps, each with a diametre of 3.2 metres. Godavari water is lifted when the water level at Pattiseema crosses 14 metres. Each pump is fitted with an iron mesh to prevent garbage from entering.
Officials said there was a possibility of a crocodile entering a pump if the mesh was not properly fixed or had an opening.
Forest officials may begin efforts to capture the crocodile on Wednesday after the experts arrive in the city.
With no significant inflows from upstream projects such as Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar and Pulichintala, officials suspect that the crocodile may have originated in the Godavari River.
Crocodiles are also sighted on sand dunes during boat rides to Papikondalu.
Nearly 20tmc of Godavari water has reached the Krishna basin this season since pumping began on July 8. A total of 462tmc of Godavari water has been pumped into the Krishna basin since the Pattiseema project was commissioned.
Meanwhile, the mixing of Godavari water with the Krishna River has turned the water reddish brown, attracting visitors to Prakasam barrage. Several commuters and visitors have been stopping at the barrage to watch the flow and take photographs.
Polavaram left main canal superintendent D. Yesu Babu said, “The muddy Godavari water is said to be giving more farm produce to the farmers in Krishna delta.”