Elephant washed away in flood

An elephant died after being washed away by flood water at Bhatpara tea garden in Alipurduar district, forest officials said today.

"A young female elephant died last night after being washed away by flood water of Basra river in the tea garden. It was thrust inside a large pipe by the flood water," Deputy Field Director of Buxa (East) reserve forest, Apurba Sen, said.

The carcass was brought out of the pipe with much difficulty this noon and sent for post-mortem.