BALASORE : Elephants from Jharkhand continue to wreak havoc in Nilagiri and Betnoti areas of Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts. In the last couple of days, the animals have destroyed six houses.
A forest watcher who was lifted up by a tusker while chasing an elephant herd on Saturday escaped narrowly.
The herd damaged three houses, belonging to Baraju Singh and Sanajatia Singh in Sutingsahi village and ate paddy and other food grains stocked in their houses.
The herd which had killed one person and injured four others a couple of days back, is now camping in Ambajhar forest under Kuldiha range. People residing in the periphery areas are guarding their houses in the night by burning tyres and beating drums. Forest officials led by ranger Rabindra Mohapatra have formed separate patrolling teams to chase the animals away.
As per the advice of experts from Himachal Pradesh, villagers have been asked to burn mobil and plastic mats to drive away the elephants.
People have been alerted not to irritate the elephants as they might turn violent.
Similarly, another tusker from Similipal has been raiding villages close to Khadisola forest area under Betnoti range.
While residents are spending sleepless nights, forest officials are also having a tough time in driving away the elephant.