Armugam, 63, who is digging a pit to build a water tank, was shocked to find a crocodile in it on January 6.

As the nearby Kollidam river is drying up, the reptile had strayed into the village near Kumbakonam in South India where he lives.

The terrified man called the firefighters, who came to rescue the crocodile from the 15-feet deep pit.

They put a noose around its neck and hauled it up the pit with the help of a group of locals. They then tied up the unwelcome visitor, carried it back to the river and released it.

Armugam, 63, who is digging a pit to build a water tank, was shocked to find a crocodile in it on January 6.

As the nearby Kollidam river is drying up, the reptile had strayed into the village near Kumbakonam in South India where he lives.

The terrified man called a fire brigade, who came to rescue the crocodile from the 15-feet deep pit.

They put a noose around its neck and hauled it up the tank. They then tied up the unwelcome visitor, carried it back to the river and released it.