Cyclone Michuang: Crocodile spotted on Chennai road, authorities ask people to stay away from water bodies

The adult mugger crocodile was spotted crossing the Perungalathur-Nedungundram road in the early hours of Monday.

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There are a few mugger crocodiles in several of the water bodies in the city and the particular crocodile has come out due to rains. (Express Photo)

Amid relentless rain lashing Chennai and neighbouring districts of Tamil Nadu in the wake of Cyclone Michauang, an adult mugger crocodile was spotted crossing the Perungalathur-Nedungundram road near the state capital, reportedly in the early hours of Monday.

A video of the incident surfaced on the internet where a person on a two-wheeler was seen stopping his vehicle after spotting the crocodile.

As people started to share the video on X, Supriya Sahu, additional chief secretary, environment, climate change and forests, said there are a few mugger crocodiles in several of the water bodies in the city and the particular crocodile has come out due to rains and there is no harm if it is not provoked.

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… https://t.co/qY8aTEdfaw

— Supriya Sahu IAS (@supriyasahuias) December 4, 2023

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According to Manikanda Prabhu, the assistant director of Arignar Anna Zoological Park, also known as Vandalur zoo, located at Vandalur, the crocodile had come out from the lake due to extreme heavy rainfall and the range officers were alerted and they are looking at it.

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“Due to heavy rainfall, the officials are not able to spot the crocodile but have confirmed that it is not present currently in that area on the Kelambakkam road,” Prabhu added.

In the heavy rain, several parts of Chennai have been flooded, with authorities closing schools and offices, stopping flights, and evacuating people from flooded areas.

Cyclone Michaung is expected to land on the coast of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday morning, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

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