A herd of eight elephants has been stranded since Sunday night in river Baitarani at Erendei village near Patana in Keonjhar district after the river water level increased suddenly due to incessant rains for last two days.
Forest Department personnel have launched an operation to rescue the animals after local residents informed the officials. The forest officials with the help villagers have provided the animals with food like paddy, bamboo and coconuts.
According to sources, the elephants are from the Similipal area. They were trapped in the river while attempting to rescue a calf, which was swept away by the river current on Sunday.
The water level suddenly went up due to intermittent rains triggered by low pressure in the upper catchment area of the river for last 24 hours.
A local resident said they have given them food swimming across the river as the animals are hungry since Sunday night.
On the other hand, forest officials are on their toes to rescue the elephants. “Our men are prepared to rescue the jumbos. If rain continues, we may face difficulties,” an official said.