Bhubaneswar: In a tragic incident at least seven elephants of a herd were electrocuted in Kamalanga village in Odisha's Dhenkanal district last night, official sources here today said.
The mishap occurred while a herd of 13 elephants was passing through the village when they came in contact with live wire of 11KV line.
It seems that the 11 KV line was sagging and the herd of elephants came in contact with the live wire while proceedings towards paddy crop in the village.
Forest officials alleged that they had earlier asked the central electricity supply authority(CESU) to take all precautions for cabbling or restoring the sagging line but no action was taken by the CESU authority.
On hearing the news of electrocution of such a large number of elephants, the Regional Chief Conservator of Forest (RCCF) and the Divisional Forest officer(DFO) have rushed to the spot.
Sources said the 11KV line was laid for the construction of railway tracks.Local villagers alleged that the height of the wire was much below than the stipulated height as a result the herd came in contact with the live wire.
While all the seven elephants died on the spot,the rest six elephants escaped and went deep into the forest.(UNI)