Wildlife / Elephants Enter Odisha Towns at 3 AM, Residents Wake Up to Panic

Kendujhar, Aug 9: A herd of elephants entered the urban areas of Champua and Joda in Odisha’s Kendujhar district early Sunday, triggering panic among residents.

The elephants entered both towns at around 3 am, with 18 elephants moving into Champua and another four entering Joda, a source said.

According to the source, the 18-member herd from the Balibandh section of Champua range crossed the Baitarani River near Shashang and attempted to move towards Mayurbhanj district. However, rising water levels in the river prevented them from crossing.

The herd then moved along the riverbank and entered Champua town through Ward 11. The elephants split into groups, with one group comprising 10 elephants and another four. They were seen moving through the Champua bus stand and market areas.

Forest department personnel reached the spot after being alerted and drove the elephants back towards the Shashang forest. The herd reportedly remained around the bus stand area for nearly two hours.

As the incident occurred during the early hours when the town was largely deserted, no major casualties or damage were reported. However, a house in the Ramala area was reportedly damaged.

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Meanwhile, a four-member elephant herd from the Badbil range entered Hudi Sahi in the Joda municipality area and remained there for some time. The elephants reportedly damaged a one-room house belonging to a man identified as Titu Karua.

Forest officials later drove the herd away, following which the elephants moved towards the nearby Siddhamatha Reserved Forest.

The incidents have left residents of Champua and Joda concerned, while forest officials are monitoring the movement of the elephant herds.