KRISHNAGIRI: A herd of more than 10 wild elephants, including calves, caused a traffic disruption on the Hogenakkal- Anchetty Road near Denkanikottai in Krishnagiri district on Thursday. Drivers halted their vehicles at a safe distance, bringing traffic to a standstill for over an hour. Traffic was restored after the herd left the road and retreated into the forest.The Denkanikottai region is surrounded by dense forest reserves. “Herds of elephants have been straying into nearby areas recently due to a scarcity of food and water inside the forests,” said a forest department official.The department has issued a set of safety guidelines for local villagers and commuters. “Commuters are advised against travelling at night and in the early morning hours through elephant-prone zones. If a herd is spotted, commuters must not provoke the animals, block their path or attempt to take selfies. Instead, they should immediately inform the forest department,” the official said.These elephants frequently enter agricultural fields and human settlements, raising concerns about crop damage and safety. “We are monitoring the elephant movements closely to prevent them from damaging crops and endangering human lives,” the official said.
