Tragedy in Chhattisgarh: Elephant Rampage Claims Life

A wild elephant in Chhattisgarh's Korba district caused havoc, killing a 55-year-old woman and five cattle. The elephant, separated from its herd, attacked the woman during her morning walk. Authorities have provided immediate relief to the victim's family and continue to monitor the elephant's movement, highlighting ongoing human-elephant conflicts.

In a tragic incident, a wild elephant entered Chhattisgarh's Korba district on Thursday, trampling a 55-year-old woman and five cattle to death, according to officials.

The tusker was first seen in the morning, roaming around the villages of Bhilaibazar, Ralia, and Khodri, near the Kusmunda coal mine managed by South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a forest official reported.

Gayatri Rathore was attacked by the elephant in Ralia during her morning walk, sustaining serious injuries that later led to her death in a Korba hospital, the official added. The elephant also killed five cows and calves in Khodri village later in the day.

Upon being alerted, the forest department dispatched a team to monitor the separated tusker. Immediate relief of Rs 25,000 was provided to Rathore's family, with a promised compensation of Rs 5.75 lakh pending procedural formalities.

Human-elephant conflicts have been a growing concern in the state for the past decade, spreading from the northern regions to central districts including Surguja, Raigarh, and Korba. Over 300 individuals have died in elephant attacks in Chhattisgarh over the last five years, according to the forest department.