A herd of wild elephants roaming along the Tirupati-Bhakarapet Ghat Road created tense moments for motorists and passengers on Sunday night. Traffic came to a complete standstill for nearly half an hour as the elephants appeared suddenly on the busy forest stretch, sparking panic among travellers heading towards Tirumala and nearby areas.
Incident Details
According to officials, the incident occurred when a group of elephants unexpectedly emerged from the dense forest and began moving across the Ghat Road. Since it was a Sunday night, vehicular movement on the route was moderate, with several devotees and tourists travelling through the stretch. On spotting the elephants, authorities immediately halted vehicles at multiple points to prevent any untoward incidents.
Passengers in Fear
Passengers inside buses and cars were gripped with fear as the elephants continued to roam near the roadway for some time. Videos and pictures captured by travellers quickly spread on social media, drawing widespread attention.
Response by Authorities
Forest department personnel and local police rushed to the spot soon after receiving information. Officials used flashlights, sirens and other precautionary measures to safely drive the herd back into the forest without causing harm to the animals or the public.
Traffic Restored
After the elephants retreated into the nearby forest area, vigilance and forest staff regulated vehicular movement and gradually restored normal traffic on the Ghat Road.
Advisory for Motorists
Officials have advised motorists travelling through forest routes during night hours to remain cautious, as elephant movement has been reported frequently in the region in recent weeks.
