Sundargarh, Nov 29: Panic gripped residents of Jalipada and Sargigard villages under Koira tehsil in Sundargarh's Sanaindupur gram panchayat after a herd of elephants entered the settlements late Friday night, damaging property and raiding food stores, a source said Saturday.

Locals said the animals also entered a primary school in Sargigarh and consumed the entire stock of midday meals, leaving parents anxious that students may go without food.

Residents have urged the authorities to deploy teams immediately and ensure that the midday meal supply is restored without delay.

Man-Elephant Conflict in Odisha
The incident comes at a time when Odisha is witnessing its worst phase of man-elephant conflict in a decade, according to the latest Odisha Wildlife–2025 report. The state recorded 171 human deaths in wildlife attacks in 2024–25, of which 153 were caused by elephants. Over 500 people were injured in wild animal encounters during the period.

Crop damage also surged, with 12,337 farmers affected across 2,905 acres, one of the highest figures in 10 years. On average, 74,350 people were affected by human-wildlife conflict in 2024–25 -- almost double the number reported in 2015–16.

The report paints an equally grim picture for elephant conservation. Odisha lost 106 elephants in 2024–25, the highest annual toll since 2015–16 and a 62 per cent spike from the previous year. As many as 30 elephants died due to deliberate electrocution, four in retaliatory attacks, and the Forest Department remains clueless about the cause of death of another 17.

Also Read: Balasore PEO Accused of Diverting Widow, Old-Age Pensions for Years

Between 2015–16 and 2024–25, the state reported 842 elephant deaths, including 111 from deliberate electrocution, 44 accidental electrocutions, 29 train hits, 29 poaching cases, and 231 due to disease.