Locals watched on as an elephant battled to stay upright after wading into a flooded river in Athagarh, Odisha.

Footage from September 24 shows the animal struggling to move in the rapid floodwater of the Mahanadi River.

A local rescue team were informed after passersby spotted the elephant in trouble.

According to reports, a boat sent to help the elephant capsized resulting in the death of a journalist.

An elephant got stuck near a bridge at Athagarh in eastern India while crossing Mahanadi river on September 24.

Seven elephants were swept away due to the strong water current in the river when a herd was crossing it. The fate of the rest of the elephants is not clear though officials said they may have reached the shore safely.

But one of them is still under the bridge trying to navigate strong currents.

A local resident spotted the trapped elephant and informed the rescue operations team.

On getting the information, local fire fighters along with the forest department team have arrived at the spot and have initiated a rescue operation.

Subhendu Mallik, Honorary Wildlife Warden of Khordha district said: "Elephants are good swimmers, hence flood should not be a worry. However, thousands of people, who have gathered on the bridge, are obstructing rescue work. Police should vacate them and allow the elephant to find its own escape route without disturbance."