Elephant herd damages PHC near Gudalur

A herd of 13 elephants today damaged a Primary Health Centre belonging to the state run Tamil Nadu Tea Plantation Corporation (TANTEA) at Oveli near Gudalur, about 75 km from here.

Forest department officials said a calf strayed from the main herd and entered the PHC, followed after some time by the rest of the elephants.

The pachyderms broke open the door of a room and damaged equipment there, broke glass panes and partially brought down a pillar of the concrete building, they said.

Department officials rushed to the spot to drive away the elephants, which normally go to the jungle during night, the sources said.