Bhubaneswar: The body of a 59-year-old woman, who went missing on Monday, was recovered from the Kharasrota River near Bankupala village under Jajpur forest range after she was attacked by a saltwater crocodile.
The victim, identified as Soudamini Mahala, was dragged into the river while washing clothes and utensils, according to Santosh Kumar Pati, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Jajpur. She was attacked by the crocodile and her remains were found partially eaten.
“We recovered the body and sent it to the government hospital in Jajpur for post-mortem examination,” Pati said. He added that the forest department will provide a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the victim’s family.
Soudamini is survived by her husband and two sons.
“Crocodiles are a risk to public safety, but if people enter crocodile-inhabited waters, their safety cannot be guaranteed,” Pati said.
The forest department has warned residents to avoid entering crocodile-prone areas along the Kharasrota River to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
