Courtesy of Michaung Cyclone, Chennai has been witnessing heavy rainfall for the past few days. Although the Michaung Cyclone was expected to pass through the southern coast on December 4, Chennai and its surrounding areas have been receiving heavy rainfall for the past few days. Due to Cyclone Michaung's alert, people were forced to look for ways to stay safe amid the inundation of roads and other infrastructure. Now, the cyclone has induced an element of fear in the worry as a crocodile was spotted crossing the road near Perungalathur, Chennai. Yes! you heard it right. While a bunch of people were driving on road and passing through, a crocodile forced them to stop the vehicle.
Now, the Chennai crocodile video is doing rounds on social media and people have been expressing their worry over it. Reacting to the Perungalathur crocodile video, Tamil Nadu's Additional Chief Secretary for Environment Climate Change & forests Supriya Sahu urged others to not go near reptiles when they see them, adding that they were shy creatures who avoid human contact.
Sahu wrote, "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 do not go close to water bodies. There is no possibility of harm to humans IF these animals are left alone & UNPROVOKED. No need to panic. Wildlife division has been alerted and they are on the job to avoid any untoward incident."
It is pertinent to mention here that it is not the first time a crocodile has been spotted on the road after a heavy rainfall. In September this year, a crocodile was spotted on a road in Hyderabad's Khairtabad area, opposite an open drainage channel, after heavy rains lashed the Telangana capital. Reports said that the reptile was spotted on the road at 6:30 pm after water levels in the area rose, following heavy rains.
How did people of Chennai react to the Crocodile video?
A user wrote, "Why does natural phenomena cause so much chaos?
One more user wrote, "Madam, Agree with ur words. Iam a great follower of u. But the reality is , the forest department people are very slow in their response and work. They need to understand they are working for a CAUSE not for applause"
Another user wrote, "No one will knowingly provoke or so in its way. Just the accidental meeting is scary, who knows what the crocodile will think of us #chennai ! Scary..."
Coming back to Cyclone Michaung, the natural phenomenon is located 125 km ENE of Chennai, and moves along North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh coasts, dumping heavy rains between Mahabalipuram and Kavali over the next 24 hours. Coastal Andhra Pradesh to witness escalating rains during the second half of the day.