Koraput/Berhampur: It is a case of double trouble for villagers in two districts, located around 300 km apart. In Rayagada district, a herd of 27 elephants from Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary is wreaking havoc damaging water supply lines and crops across four panchayats.Another group of 27 elephants, including six tuskers, is terrorising residents of Birikote village near Bhanjanagar in Ganjam district.Both herds have triggered panic among villagers, who are now living in fear and avoiding moving outdoors after sunset. Forest officials have deployed special squads and thermal drones to monitor the situation and prevent human-elephant conflicts.The herd in Rayagada, which migrated to Niyamgiri hill range, has left behind a trail of destruction across four panchayats — Singari, Parsali, Sunakhandi and Palma. In Talamusuli village under Sunakhandi panchayat, the elephants destroyed water supply lines on Wednesday night.“We are frightened as the elephants have become aggressive and enter the villages after sunset. We fear stepping outside in the evening,” said Loknath Kadraka, a resident of Talamusuli, home to around 25 tribal families.Disruption of the main water pipeline has created significant challenges for villagers. “We are facing great difficulty in collecting water,” said Bamo Sikoko, another villager. While the elephants also knocked down an electric pole in Talamusuli, no casualties were reported.The following night, the herd moved to nearby Parsali panchayat, damaging seasonal fruits, including mango, jackfruit and banana. “Jackfruit and banana plants have been damaged by the elephant herd. We are afraid to venture out after sunset as the elephants are entering the village. We are staying inside our homes with the doors locked. We appeal to the forest officials to take necessary steps to drive the animals away,” said Dushmant Sikaka of Parsali.Forest range officer of Kalyansinghpur, Chandan Gamang, said that special squads and field staff are tracking the elephants round-the-clock. “While there are no standing crops, banana plantations on hill slopes have been affected,” he said, adding that damage assessment will be expedited and compensation provided to affected farmers as per govt guidelines.Forest officials are also conducting village-level awareness meetings to educate residents about safety measures and avoiding conflict with the elephants.In Ganjam district, the elephant herd, which had recently migrated to Kandhamal district, returned to Ghumusar North forest division about a week ago and is now near Birikote under Muzagarh forest range.The pachyderms demolished a thatched house and broke a school window on Thursday. “The damaged house was abandoned and had been locked up for several months as its owner stays outside,” a forest officer said.“We are in panic due to the presence of elephants near the village,” said Purna Chandra Mallick, a farmer. “Villagers have been spending sleepless nights, and farmers are staying in their fields to protect their vegetable crops.”The situation has been further complicated as authorities disconnect power supply in areas where elephants move as a precaution to avoid electrocution. Himansu Sekhar Mohanty, divisional forest officer (DFO), Ghumusar North, said, “Forest officials have managed to drive away the herd before it entered the village. The herd is currently in the nearby forest, and there have been no casualties or injuries.”The forest department has deployed elephant squads to monitor the situation. “A thermal drone has been pressed to track the herd’s movement at night. The squad has been tracking their movement round-the-clock and alerting people not to venture near the herd,” the DFO added.The department has proposed installing solar-powered street lights in the village to address the power cuts. Compensation for property damage will be provided after proper investigation, forest officials said.