Keonjhar, Dec 23: A herd of elephants has been creating havoc in human habitations adjacent to Patana forest in Keonjhar district for the last two days.

The pachyderms have destroyed paddy crops on acres of land and damaged houses in the area. 

The herd, consisting of 13 elephants, reportedly destroyed paddy crops in Saharpada section. They broke the house of one Trinath Mahanta of Rampur village and ate up his paddy this morning. 

Mahanta's family members had a close shave as the managed to run out of their house. The elephant herd then headed into the Harichandanpur jungle. Locals urged the forest department to drive away the jumbo herd. 

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