Wild elephant herd destroys home in Meghalaya village

Shillong: A herd of wild elephants forced a family to flee their home in Meghalaya's South West Garo Hills district after the animals broke into the property on June 13. The incident took place in Joyfar village, located near the India-Bangladesh border within the Betasing community and rural development block.

Officials confirmed that the elephants entered the house belonging to Ketaki Hajong, where they caused significant damage to the kitchen and destroyed essential household supplies, including stored food grains. Despite the destruction, all six family members, including four children, managed to escape the scene without injury.

Authorities have been monitoring the movement of elephant herds throughout the region as animals continue to travel through parts of the state. Officials suspect the herds migrated from the Nankor area, potentially originating from neighbouring Bangladesh or the South Garo Hills.

This incident follows a separate report from June 11, in which "an elephant was electrocuted in the Bordu area under the Mawsynram C&RD Block," according to local officials. Forest and district authorities are now urging residents in vulnerable areas to maintain vigilance as human-elephant conflicts persist across the region.