Floodwaters Carry Herd Towards Barrage
Five wild elephants were swept towards the Girijapuri Barrage in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, on August 25 after powerful floodwaters pushed them downstream. The herd had three adult elephants and two calves, which struggled to stay afloat as they were carried through the fast-moving water.
The elephants were caught near the Katarniaghat forest area as the floodwaters moved towards the barrage. Local reports said flooding had also affected more than two dozen villages and hamlets in Bahraich.
The incident came as Nepal faced a major flash flood disaster along its border with Tibet. At least 359 people had been confirmed dead in Nepal by August 27, while more than 1,000 people were still missing as rescue teams searched affected areas. The disaster was linked to a glacier collapse that sent a powerful surge of water and debris through river valleys.
Reports on the elephant rescue said flooding in Nepal was connected to the conditions that pushed the herd into the river system. One report said the elephants had come from forest areas on the Nepal side before entering the river.
Three Adults Stay Close To Calves
The two calves were in the most difficult position as the current carried the herd downstream. Forest officials said the young elephants were struggling to stay afloat while the three adults remained close to them.
A wireless alert reached the Katarniaghat Range headquarters through the Kailashpuri Barrier at around 10.20am. It reported that the five elephants were being swept towards the barrage.
Forest personnel quickly headed to the site. The three adults stayed with the calves as the herd battled the strong current. Rather than moving away from the younger elephants, they remained close as the water pushed all five animals towards the barrage.
Once the current became weaker, the elephants were able to move towards safer water. Forest teams then began working to keep the herd away from the most dangerous section near the barrage.
The rescue was later shared in reports showing the elephants moving through the floodwaters, with the adults staying close to the two calves.
Barrage Gate Helps Slow Water
The Forest Department contacted the Irrigation Department as the water continued to move quickly towards the barrage.
The irrigation team closed the barrage gate, reducing the force of the current. This gave the elephants a better chance to regain control and move away from the strongest flow.
After the water slowed, the adult elephants guided the calves towards safer water. Forest personnel then used a method known as “hanka” to direct the herd away from the barrage and towards the forest.
The method involves creating noise and movement to encourage elephants to move in a particular direction. Forest and Irrigation Department teams remained at the site while the herd gradually moved away from the barrage gates.
The operation depended on the teams first reducing the water flow and then guiding the elephants towards a safer route.
All Five Elephants Return Safely
All five elephants eventually made their way back into the forest, according to officials. The herd included the same three adults and two calves that had been swept towards the barrage earlier that day.
The rescue came after the 10.20am alert and involved forest personnel and irrigation workers working together to reduce the danger around the barrage.
No deaths were reported among the elephants. After the water flow was brought under control, the adults were able to lead the calves away from the strongest current and towards the surrounding forest.
The successful rescue came against the backdrop of a much larger flood disaster in Nepal, where hundreds of people had died and many others remained missing. For the five elephants caught in the floodwaters, however, the operation ended with the entire herd safely back in the forest.
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