Wild elephants went on a rampage and damaged 37 houses across the Madarihat area of Alipurduar district in the last 48 hours.

Sources said on Friday night, a herd of wild elephants entered Madhya and Paschim Madarihat under Madarihat block and damaged 24 houses.

On Thursday night, a herd of 40-odd wild elephants ravaged 13 houses and standing crops of a huge area in Doulatpur, Hedayatpur and New Para under Khayerbari panchayat. Also, numerous betel nut plantations were destroyed by the animals.

Speaking about Friday’s incident, Kuddus Mian, president of the joint forest management committee, said: “This is for the first time that wild elephants damaged 24 houses in one night. If forest staff reached on time, a few houses could have been saved. Forest officials should pay compensation to the affected people.”

Sribash Sarkar, range officer Madarihat range, said: “We chased the elephants throughout the night but could not control them. It was also raining on Friday night because of which we faced problems.”