At least eight elephants, including a calf and a tusker, are trapped in an island in Baitarani river in Odishawhich is in high spate, forest official said.
The island is in Keonjhar district and the elephants are suspected to have come from Similipal National Park in Mayurbhanj district.
The herd entered Arendei island on Sunday night in search of food but they were marooned as the water level in the river rose, forester Bhupati Sethi said.
The villagers noticed the herd this morning and informed the forest department following which the officials reached the spot and embarked on an operation to rescue the elephants with the help of locals.
Paddy, coconut and bamboo leaves are being given to the stranded herd by villagers.
They are continuing to feed the animals as the water level in the river is gradually increasing due to incessant rain for the last two days.