Balangir, June 27: Panic gripped Jalia village under Dhumabata Panchayat of Belpada block in Balangir district after a herd of 13 wild elephants stormed the area late Thursday night, causing extensive damage to property and forcing residents to flee for safety.
The herd reportedly broke into the house of local resident Tiketa Baraha around midnight, destroying household items and food supplies. Tiketa, along with six other family members including his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, was asleep when the elephants approached. Alerted by the animals' trumpeting, Tiketa quickly woke his family, and all seven managed to escape unhurt.
According to sources, the elephants destroyed the main entrance of the house and ransacked the premises, damaging eight sacks of rice, clothing, furniture, essential documents, and other belongings.
The matter was immediately reported to the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Balangir, the Patnagarh Range Officer, and the Forest Officer of Tikirapada.
Forest officials reached the village on Friday morning and assured the family of government support. Two other families living nearby have been advised to move to safer locations as a precautionary measure.
At the time of reporting, the Revenue Department had provided only a tarpaulin sheet to the family, while the block administration had supplied a single packet of rice. The elephant herd is believed to have been roaming in the Kiribaanji forest area for the past two days. Despite ongoing efforts by forest personnel to drive the animals away, the elephants suddenly entered the village and caused the destruction, said Range Officer Anand Chandra Bishi.
Forest officials continue their efforts to track and push the elephants back into the forested region to prevent further incidents.
