Lakhimpur Kheri/Bahraich/LUCKNOW, July 20 -- As rivers swell across Uttar Pradesh's Terai region during the monsoon, crocodile attacks and sightings are becoming increasingly frequent, triggering fear among villagers living along riverbanks. Forest officials say the reptiles are moving beyond their usual habitats due to rising water levels and have intensified preventive measures to minimise human-crocodile conflict. Lakhimpur Kheri alone has reported three deaths and one serious injury in crocodile attacks over the past 60 days. In neighbouring Bahraich, a series of fatal incidents has heightened concerns among residents and prompted the Forest Department to step up surveillance and awareness campaigns. The latest tragedy occurred on July 16, when 12-year-old Sunil Singh was dragged into the Saryu river by a crocodile while washing his hands and feet after paddy transplantation in Tikuri village. A video of the incident went viral, sparking widespread concern. Earlier, on May 7, 2025, Ravi Kashyap of Silauta village was killed in a crocodile attack. On July 5, 2026, the body of Ketki Devi (55) of Mohkampurwa was found in the jaws of a crocodile near Rampurwa after she had gone missing while returning from a family function. These incidents have pushed forest officials to intensify on-ground interventions. In Lakhimpur Kheri, at least five people have lost their lives in crocodile attacks between September 2025 and July 16, 2026, underscoring the growing threat in the district. Apart from fatal attacks, repeated crocodile sightings in residential areas have also caused widespread panic. In March this year, a crocodile wandered through the lanes of Bambhauri Pandeypurwa village in Bahraich before returning to the river. More recently, another reptile entered Belhan Maheshpur village near Motipur after emerging from a pond. Earlier, a large crocodile reached the doorstep of Nikki Shrivastava's house in Bhavaniyapur village, from where it was rescued by the Forest Department and released back into the river. Senior forest officials said crocodile movement typically increases during the monsoon when overflowing rivers connect with ponds, canals and low-lying areas, allowing the reptiles to stray into human habitations. Sunil Chaudhary, head of Forest Force, Uttar Pradesh, said, "Putting up nets along banks of rivers where the threat of crocodiles is more and making villagers alert about movement/presence of crocodiles or other wild animals is our prime focus right now. This along with quick response to any input by our staff or local villagers," said Chaudhary also principal chief conservator of forest UP. Additional principal chief conservator of forests Renu Singh who visited the affected villages with, district magistrate Akshay Tripathi, superintendent of police Vishwajeet Srivastava, and Bahraich divisional forest officer Sundaresh Mysore, said the rivers of the Terai are natural habitats for crocodiles and stressed that coexistence is possible only through vigilance and public awareness. She directed forest officials to intensify village outreach programmes and educate residents about safety protocols. Bahraich divisional forest officer Sundaresh Mysore said forest teams are maintaining regular surveillance in sensitive areas and appealing to people to remain cautious near rivers, particularly as water levels continue to rise during the monsoon. Meanwhile, continuous rainfall in the catchment areas of Nepal and Bahraich since Saturday night has led to a steady rise in the water level of the Ghaghara River, prompting the district administration to issue a flood alert for villages along the riverbanks. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as the river continues to swell. Villages situated along the Ghaghara and Saryu riverbanks, including Majha Dariya, Maneshwar, Lalaji Purwa, Pachasa, Chamrahiya, Dhobiyan Purwa, Tikuri, Kodwa, Pipra, Pipri, Golaganj, Kayampur, Jogapurwa, Chhatarpurwa, Silota, Kutti Baga, Prahladpurwa and Rani Bagh, are under close watch. Residents have been advised to remain alert and be prepared for evacuation if the water level continues to rise....