What began as an ordinary chore for a teenage girl in rural India ended in tragedy after a deadly encounter with a crocodile on the banks of the Parvati River.
On the morning of Monday, September 15, 15-year-old Shivani Kevat had been carrying out the simple but vital task of collecting water for her household when she was suddenly attacked.
She had been filling pots on the riverbank near her home in Mehatabpura village, Rajasthan, when a crocodile lunged at her from the shallows, its powerful jaws clamping down before anyone nearby could react.
According to reports from Hindustan Times, the reptile dragged the teenager into the river, sparking panic among locals working close to the water.
Farmers and villagers dropped what they were doing and rushed to the riverbank, shouting in an attempt to scare the crocodile away. Some even launched boats into the water to try to rescue her.
Despite their desperate efforts, the predator refused to release its grip.
Authorities were quickly alerted, but by the time police arrived, Shivani had disappeared below the surface.
A large-scale search and rescue operation was launched, involving locals and police teams scouring the river well into the night.
Tension gripped the village as dozens of residents gathered on the riverbank, hoping for a miracle. After hours of searching without success, the operation was called off late that evening.
The following morning, Tuesday, September 16, the community’s worst fears were confirmed when Shivani’s body was spotted floating in the water.
Villagers quickly alerted police, who retrieved her remains from the river. The publication reported that a medical team was called to the scene, but the teenager was pronounced dead.
An autopsy later revealed that Shivani did not die as a result of being mauled by the crocodile. Instead, her cause of death was drowning.
Police said there were no injury marks beyond the deep wounds apparently caused by the animal’s grip as it dragged her into the river.
Following the post-mortem examination, Shivani’s body was released to her grieving family for final rites.
Her death has reignited concerns among locals about the growing presence of crocodiles in rivers and ponds near their villages, particularly during the monsoon season when the reptiles often stray closer to human settlements.
Many are now calling for better warning systems or barriers to keep residents, especially children, safe from such attacks.
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