Panic erupted inKhandiabandha villageunder the Ranpur Range in Nayagarh district late last night when astray elephant, separated from its herd, entered the settlement. The tusker roamed the village for over an hour, causing fear among residents, though no injuries or property damage were reported.
Villagers stayed indoors while some alerted theForest Department, which began monitoring the situation. After about an hour, the elephant reportedly returned to the nearby forest on its own.
Forest officials are keeping a close watch to prevent the elephant from entering human settlements again. Villagers have been advised to remain alert, avoid venturing out at night, and report any sightings. Authorities confirmed that precautionary measures are in place to ensure the safety of both residents and wildlife, while tracking of the elephant’s movements continues.
