Sonepur: Herd Of 60 Elephants Wreaks Havoc, Locals In Panic

Sonepur: A herd of 60 wild elephants have been creating havoc in Binika area of Sonepur district reportedly since the last two weeks causing damage to property and destroying standing paddy crops in several acres of land.

Locals said that due to the fear of the jumbos, they were forced to sleep on the terraces of their houses even as the night temperature in the district has been continuously plummeting below 15 degree Celsius.

As per reports, the elephants sneaked into Jharapada village under Binika block last night and damaged three houses. They also ate up over three quintals of rice stored inside one villager's house.

"We have been sleeping on the terrace of our neighbour since the last 12 days. The animals barged into the house last night by damaging the walls and ate over three quintals of rice. We request the district administration to take measures to drive away the elephant from the region," said a villager of Jharpada.

"It's been over 12 days, the jumbos are entering the village repeatedly from the forest and have been damaging property and standing paddy crops in the area," said another villager.

The elephants have caused extensive damage to the crops and thatched houses at Jharapada Sindurpur, Ganeshpur, Keutapada villages under Binika block of the district, added reports.

The pachyderms stay Ulunda forest in the day time and enter the human habitation after the sunset, locals added.

(Edited By Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)

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