This is the shocking moment a wild elephant strayed into a small town causing panic among locals.

People were forced to clear a path for the elephant as it ran into the town of Cumbum in Tamil Nadu, South India.

Some fled on bikes and cars, while one man filmed the elephant from a high building.

Once the area had cleared completely, the elephant turned away and walked down a different lane.

It’s believed the elephant had been moved into wild forests within the areas of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.