Herd of elephants wreak havoc, cause significant damage to properties in Odisha's Dhenkanal

A herd of elephants early Saturday morning wreaked havoc in the Kamakhyanagar East Range under Dhenkanal. The herd comprising eight elephants caused significant damage to properties in several villages. Reports indicate that the elephants broke into homes, destroyed rice stocks, and damaged household items.

The elephants were sighted in the village of Palasa Dangi, where the herd of eight elephants entered late on Friday night. Witnesses reported that the elephants broke down house walls and damaged belongings kept in the homes. Similarly, in Dankaridiha village, the houses of Budhei Dehury and Basanta Dehury were particularly affected, as the elephants not only destroyed the house and walls but also consumed rice and paddy stored in their homes.

Budhei Dehuri, victim of the incident, said, “We were asleep when the herd of eight elephants started ransacking our home. We were extremely scared and somehow managed to escape without getting hurt. But the herd of elephants damaged our home completely and ate everything, including stored paddy and rice.”

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“I am worried about how my children and my family are going to live without food. Forest department officials told me to go to Jana Seva Kendra and apply to receive assistance for the damaged caused by the elephants,” she added further.

Upon receiving reports of the damage, the forest department quickly dispatched a team to the area to drive the elephants away. According to officials, the elephants are currently near the Mahapur Ragada forest. The department is working to ensure the safety of residents and mitigate any further damage caused by the elephants.