Elephant Herd Runs Amok in AP's Vallivedu Panchayat

TIRUPATI: A herd of wild elephants went on a rampage in Vallivedu village in Pakala mandal of this district on Monday night, damaging mango orchards and other agricultural fields.

According to locals, around 10 elephants from a nearby forest area entered the panchayat shortly after midnight. They raided mango orchards and other agricultural crops in the area.

Farmers rushed to their fields to drive away the elephants. The herd charged towards the farmers and after a while returned to the forests. No injuries have been reported.

Officials said the extent of losses was being assessed.

Tirupati urban development authority (Tuda) chairman Chevireddy Mohith Reddy visited the region on Tuesday morning and interacted with local farmers. He promised them compensation and support from the government.

The Tuda chief said the forest department would take appropriate steps to prevent recurrence of such elephant attacks. “Forest officials are tracking the elephant herd's movements to prevent further conflicts,” he said.

Meanwhile, forested villages in Chittoor district's Kuppam and Palamaner areas breathed easy as the herd of 70 elephants from Hosur changed their direction and walked into Bannerghatta forests in neighbouring Karnataka.