As summer heat peaks, human-animal conflicts rise sharply in Idukki district. On Sunday night, a wild elephant known locally as “Padayappa” wrecked an autorickshaw in Munnar. Another elephant came near a house in Thottappura, close to Peerumade. Resident Karuppa Swami was driving an autorickshaw home from Munnar when he met the tusker near West Division. The elephant charged, but Swami escaped by jumping from the vehicle before it was destroyed. Locals say the tusker has been attacking vehicles for days. Munnar Range Officer S. Biju explains, “The tusker is currently in musth and is travelling long distances under the cover of night. The tusker is exhibiting violent behaviour. Last year, it showed similar aggression during its musth period.” He adds the incident with the autorickshaw driver was accidental. The Forest department's Rapid Response Team is tracking the elephant, which moves between different herds in Chokkanad, Thenmala, and Kadalar. Despite heat, water sources remain full in the area, so the aggression isn't from water scarcity but linked to musth. Forest officers warn residents and visitors to keep a safe distance. Recently, Padayappa also attacked a car on the Munnar-Marayur interstate route, where two passengers narrowly escaped. On the same Sunday night, another wild tusker appeared near a home in the Kovilakam area of Thottappura. Residents spotted the elephant at 8 p.m. and safely drove it back into the forest. The forest department continues to issue warnings but says tracking the elephant’s sudden night movements is challenging.