Elephant herds stray close to human habitations amid delayed monsoon in Chittoor

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A lone elephant sighted beside the Bengaluru national highway at Moghili ghat near Bangarupalem in Chittoor district on Tuesday evening. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Following a delay in the southwest monsoon, Forest officials are closely watching increased elephant activity along the Koundinya wildlife sanctuary and Rayala elephant corridor, where the herds are staying close to highways, villages and farms.

The Koundinya landscape, spread across Kuppam and Palamaner divisions of Chittoor district and extending into parts of Tirupati and Annamayya districts through the Rayala elephant corridor, is under mild climatic stress from a prolonged dry spell. The region usually receives monsoon showers in the first week of June, though sporadic summer rains are common in May, helping forest water sources last until the rains set in fully. However, rainfall this season has remained subdued.

Forest officials have confirmed frequent movement of elephants near human habitations in Chittoor, Kuppam and Palamaner ranges in recent weeks. Elephant trackers attribute the greater visibility of the animals partly to shrinking water in seasonal streams and waterholes in the forest interiors.

A herd of 13 elephants, including a solitary tusker known to separate from the group and later rejoin it, stayed in the area for several days after crossing over from neighbouring Tamil Nadu. The herd began retreating only on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) night, though officials say it could return at any time. In another instance, a lone elephant drew the attention of motorists on the Bengaluru national highway at Moghili ghat section near Bangarupalem for several hours on Tuesday.

Most wild elephants in Koundinya sanctuary belt trace their movements to Mordhana dam at Gudiyattam in Tamil Nadu, considered one of their principal habitats. The dam still holds adequate water, but large stretches of the Palar riverbed along the Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu border have turned dry, affecting elephant movement and