Separated from herd, elephant enters odisha village, sparks panic among residents

Panic gripped residents after a stray elephant, separated from its herd, entered a village and spread terror under the Ranpur Range in Nayagarh district late last night. 

The incident occurred at Khandiabandha village, where the elephant reportedly strayed into the habitation, triggering fear and anxiety among local residents.

According to sources, the elephant entered the village during the late night hours and moved around for over an hour, creating a tense situation. Residents stayed indoors as the elephant roamed through the area, damaging nothing but spreading panic due to its presence. Some villagers alerted the Forest Department, which immediately began monitoring the situation.

After remaining inside the village for more than an hour, the tusker reportedly returned to the nearby forest on its own. No injuries to humans were reported, and there were no immediate reports of damage to property or crops.

Forest officials said they are keeping a close watch on the movement of the elephant to prevent it from re-entering human settlements. Villagers have been advised to remain alert, avoid venturing out at night, and inform forest personnel if the elephant is spotted again.

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Authorities said necessary precautionary measures are being taken to ensure the safety of both villagers and wildlife, while efforts continue to track the elephant’s movement in the region