The migrating elephants which have strayed into Nilgiri area have been wrecking havoc for last two days giving sleepless nights to the local inhabitants.

The residents in fear of attack are either quitting their villagers, taking shelter on tree tops or hiding under the culverts and other safer places. Meanwhile, several areas, where the elephant are moving around Nilgiri, are experiencing power cuts ever since the jumbos arrived there.

The herd comprising as many as 42 members including tuskers, calves and mothers have sneaked from Mayurbhanj side. This sort of elephant movement happens  every year, particularly during the crop cutting time.

They, after getting divided in three to four groups, are causing widespread ravages in the areas, including at Hatimunda, Bayarsahi, Tereldihi, Kudumipal, Kanthsimulia, Naranpur and Buddusahi etc .

The residents, besides alleging that the department action was too little for them, further alleged the wild elephants could enter into the human habitations as the trenches which were dug were not effective. They said although trenches and solar fencing were created to prevent  the straying of elephants in the human settlements, yet due to non maintenance (non dredging) they were now filled with soil. As a result, the jumbos were easily crossing them.

As per reports, the herd was causing severe damages to the agriculture field and ready –to- harvest paddy crops. In the meanwhile, the residents of affected villages have demanded repair of trenches.

Range officer, Nilgiri, Rudrananda Barik said that the department was maintaining a constant vigil on the movement of pachyderms with the help of volunteers, police and their staff. At the same time, he informed that the elephants are prevented from entering villages by using traditional means such as beating drums , bursting crackers and fire balls etc.