Elephant herd creates panic at tea estates in Valparai

: A herd of elephant foraging for food and water at Valparai in the district barged into the premises of two tea estates, sending workers scurrying for cover, police said.
Group of six elephants entered the estates of TANTEA (TN Tea Plantation Corporation Limited) and Sincona in Valparai, about 90 km from here, forcing terrified employees to flee.
The pachyderms then moved to the nearby Mariamman Temple and destroyed some pooja articles, they said.
Forest officials rushed to the spot and managed to drive away the pachyderms to the jungles.
However, residents of these areas, who frequently have to face elephants from nearby forests foraging for food, said they were afraid of coming out from their workplace or houses due to the 'unpredictable' nature of elephants.