Kendrapada, Odisha | August 20, 2026

A massive saltwater crocodile estimated to be around 20 feet long turned up on the flooded verandah of a farmer’s house in Kendrapada district, leaving the family terrified and prompting villagers to gather at a safe distance.

The incident occurred around 8 am in Padanipala village under Aul block, beside the swollen Brahmani River. Farmer Purushottam Sethi, 52, had woken up and was about to step outside when he came face-to-face with the enormous reptile lying on his verandah.

Man shuts door after spotting giant reptile

Sethi immediately shut the door and warned his wife and two sons not to venture outside. The family then watched the crocodile cautiously from inside before informing neighbours.

The verandah and surrounding areas had been flooded, providing the crocodile with an opportunity to move from the river into the residential area.

Villagers soon gathered after being alerted. Rather than approaching the animal closely, they kept their distance while trying to determine how to drive it away safely.

Crocodile eventually moves away

The sighting created considerable panic in the village, given the reptile’s extraordinary size and its proximity to the house.

Residents eventually managed to drive the crocodile away from the verandah and towards the nearby water body, without reports of anyone being injured.

The incident comes amid widespread flooding in parts of Kendrapada, where swollen rivers and waterlogged villages have increased the possibility of crocodiles entering areas normally occupied by people.

Rising concern during floods

Kendrapada is known for its significant population of saltwater crocodiles, particularly around the Brahmani and surrounding wetland and river systems. When water levels rise and natural habitats are inundated, crocodiles can move beyond their usual areas in search of safer ground.

The latest incident therefore serves as a reminder of the risks faced by communities living close to crocodile habitats during periods of heavy flooding.

Residents have been urged to remain extremely cautious around flooded areas, riverbanks and waterlogged locations and to immediately alert authorities if crocodiles are spotted near homes or roads.

The encounter ended without human or animal casualties, but the extraordinary sight of a roughly 20-foot crocodile resting on a household verandah has once again highlighted the increasingly close interaction between people and wildlife in Odisha’s flood-prone river landscapes.