A herd of elephants strayed into human habitats in Valparai on Tuesday creating panic among the villagers by destroying food items stored there and damaging houses.

The elephants along with their calves entered the habitats, occupied by mostly tea workers, in search of food. They started consuming vegetables, rice and other grains. They also began consuming salt-mixed soil, used for construction, that led to panic among the workers in Sincona, police said.

The herd razed to ground, the house of a woman, following which the forest officials placed salt block on its path so that the herd can deviate from its route.

The officials have advised the tea workers to ensure that the aroma from their kitchens do not attract the elephants again.

Officials are keeping vigil at all the entry points to prevent the elephants entering the human habitats.