Stray Elephant Causes Traffic Disruption on National Highway-16 in Odisha

A wild elephant caused a 45-minute disruption on National Highway-16 between Jaraka and Barabati in Odisha's Jajpur district, according to police. The animal is believed to have wandered from the Tomka Reserve Forest. During this time, it roamed the highway, followed by three forest department vehicles at a distance, before moving towards nearby fields.

Residents of Chainipur and Ganeswarpur villages in Jajpur block reported seeing the elephant on Tuesday night. They attempted to drive it away by making noise and using lights, causing it to head towards Baruan. By early Wednesday, villagers in Rajendrapur of Rasulpur block also spotted the elephant, which had damaged some vegetable crops before being chased towards Dharmasala.

Elephant's Journey Through Villages

The elephant continued its journey, reaching Deuli village after passing through Gopalpur, Prathama Kandi, and Barabati villages on Wednesday morning. It then proceeded to Gokarneswar temple before arriving at National Highway-16. This movement caused concern among residents of Jaraka, Deuli, and Kumari villages, who stayed indoors and requested forest officials to remove the elephant promptly.

Forest department personnel are actively working to guide the elephant back to the Tomka forest area. Despite their efforts, villagers remain cautious and alert for any signs of the elephant's return. The presence of the animal has instilled fear among locals, prompting them to stay vigilant.

Efforts to Ensure Safety

A forest official stated, "We are trying to drive it away from the area and take it to its natural habitat areas of Tomka forest." The authorities aim to alleviate residents' concerns by directing the elephant back to its natural environment. Meanwhile, police confirmed that there were no reports of injuries or property damage due to the elephant's presence.

The last known location of the wild tusker was in the Rasulpur area. Despite no reported harm, the situation remains tense as villagers continue to monitor for any potential return of the elephant. The combined efforts of forest officials and local police aim to ensure safety and restore normalcy in the affected areas.