Bhubaneswar: Jharkhandi elephant menace has once again gripped Nilgiri area in Balasore district as a herd have entered into the area and destroyed paddy crops on acres of land.

According to reports, a herd of about 40 elephants from jungles of the neighbouring Jharkhand state entered the Gopalpur area last night and went on a rampage. They eat up and destroyed paddy plants on acres of land. The pachyders are still moving in the area.

Forest officials are trying to drive away the elephants by beating drums, according to reports.