Sonepur: Five families of a village, scared by the destruction caused a herd of elephants, are spending nights atop trees for the past four days.

These families, in Pudamal village under Ulunda forest range in Sonepur forest division, have lost their houses and food grains.

Terrorised by the destruction caused, they are forced to spend nights on tree houses.

As the sun sets, the animals return to the village and the panic-stricken families, including women and children, climb the trees. The affected families, who belong to the Munda tribe, have urged with the district administration to help them out in their rehabilitation so that they can lead a normal life.

A source said that a herd of elephants had been intruding Pudamal for the past few days. The animals destroyed houses in the village which belonged to the Munda families. They also ate up stored food grains. The animals keep entering the area forcing the families to take shelter on the trees.

Gurubari Munda, an elderly woman, said that they had been spending nights atop the trees for the past four days. "After the elephants herd destroyed our houses and food grain this tree has been our home. How long we can live on the trees? The administration must do something," she said.

Another villager Ganesh Munda said that they were living in a state of panic as the animals were destroying the houses at the night.

"The forest officials must do something to drive out the elephants from the area. We are leading a miserable life on the trees with children and women," Ganesh said.

Ulunda forest range officer Shiba Prasad Naik said that he was aware of the plight of the families. "We will take all possible steps and help the families," Naik said.