Balasore, Nov. 19: As if one was not enough!

A second herd of elephants is heading towards Nilgiri, where a heard of marauding jumbos is already making life difficult for villagers.

The second herd of 11 elephants, including three tuskers, is now moving in the Betnoti range of the neighbouring Mayurbhanj district.

“A new herd has entered our area last night from the Rasgobindapur side. Right now, they are in the Asanbani Reserve Forest between Gadigaon and Sarigaon,” said Betnoti forest range officer Basanta Mohanty.

“We are keeping a watch on their movement. They are likely to head towards Balasore in a day or two,” he said.

The administration has begun providing food to people who have fled from their villages in fear of the elephants.

Around 95 elephants are moving around in Tinkosia Reserve Forest of Nilgiri range and are giving sleepless nights to people staying in the villages there.

One person has been killed and another injured by the animals, which have destroyed 400 acres of crops and over 50 houses.

Divisional forest officer Harsbardhan Udgata said: “We are monitoring the movement of the elephants. We are advising people not to disturb them or store any items that could attract the animals.”