Kendrapara A woman from Taanladia village under Kolidiha Panchayat in Ali block, Kendrapara district, was dragged away by a crocodile today while she was washing clothes in a local stream. Despite search operations by villagers and fire department personnel, the woman could not be rescued.
Reportedly, she had first kept her washed clothes in a container and then stepped into the stream to rinse them. Suddenly, a large crocodile lunged and dragged her into the water. When she didn’t return home for a long time, her elder daughter went near the stream to look for her, only to find no sign of her mother.
Tragedy While Washing Clothes
Panic gripped the village following the incident. According to available information, the victim, Kajal (40), wife of Kailash Mahanti, as per her routine, went to the stream flowing beside the Kharsrota River to wash clothes. She had just started rinsing when the crocodile attack occurred.
Her daughter, upon not finding her, returned home in tears and informed the family. Villagers then rushed to the stream and started searching for Kajal. Upon receiving the news, the fire service team also arrived at the scene and began a search operation using boats. Meanwhile, some villagers entered the stream in two boats and joined the search.
After a long search, the villagers spotted the crocodile about 200 meters downstream from where Kajal was last seen — seemingly feeding on something. They tried to chase the reptile away. However, even by late evening, there was still no trace of the woman.
Family in Grief
Kajal’s three daughters – Shishnashish (12), Simransees (9), and Kalyani (4) – were seen crying inconsolably, rolling on the ground in despair over their missing mother. Upon receiving the news, Ali Tehsildar Shadiswarup Mishra
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