Banki: A herd of 18 elephants has been stranded on a sand patch in the Mahanadi River near Bhagipur while moving from Sukasan forest in Athagarh toward Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary. Rising water levels left the herd trapped on a small island.
Forest Department officials are closely monitoring the elephants and working to guide them safely back to Chandaka.
The Sukasan–Chandaka corridor is a traditional route frequently used by elephants, which requires crossing the Mahanadi.