Alice Yhoshu
KOHIMA, MARCH 14
The widespread forest fire in Dzükou Valley which is believed to have sparked off on Tuesday night, though contained to some extent, is said to be spreading in few pockets along the ridge above Viswema and Jakhama and on Japfü range till late Saturday evening.
In an effort to strengthen the ground force in containing the raging wildfire, air operations were pressed into action today wherein two choppers from the Eastern Air Command carried out five sorties. The choppers towed water drawn from Padumpukhuri lake in Dimapur and showered the same on the areas where the inferno was intense.
According to a Nagaland State Disaster Management (NSDMA) official, the choppers had carried over about 22,000 litres of water in their efforts and around 60% of the fire on Viswema side was doused by evening. The official also said the operations had to be called off after five sorties since the wind had picked up speed (70 km/h).
The NSDMA has reportedly requested the airports authority in Dimapur to open the Air Traffic Control as early as 6 am so that the two choppers can resume the air operations by 6.30 am.
On the ground, around 30 personnel from 14 IRB, 20 from 164 Bn Naga Territorial Army (Jakhama), 50 from forest department, and 70-80 volunteers from southern Angami villages went to the valley and tried to contain the fire from different locations. Later, the deputy commissioner, Kohima Rovilatuo Mor and some police officers also went up along with Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) and youth (SAYO) officials to assess the situation. Forest department officials have informed that the coordination committee for monitoring the fire has decided to send around 60 volunteers and forest personnel to the valley at around 3 am Sunday to control the fire to possible extent. The contingent will remain and camp in the valley guest house and will be supported adequately with necessary logistics, they said.
Meanwhile, according to an official bulletin, Minister for Forest, Environment & Wildlife, Dr. Neikesalie Kire also visited the base camp today at Viswema and officials had apprised him of the situation. Later, while interacting with those present at the base camp, the deputy commissioner is said to have suggested that SAYO officials should take up the matter seriously and initiate preventive measures so that such fire incidents do not occur in future.
DIPR adds: The fire in the Dzukou Valley is still spreading and the inferno is spreading towards Mount Japfu and Mount Tempu ranges. This morning at around 6:30 am, 30 IRB personnel from 14 Bn, 20 army personnel from 164 Bn, Naga territorial army, Jakhama, 50 forest personnel from Dimapur and Kohima, 70 to 80 volunteers from Southern Angami villages, SAYO and SAPO members along with the district administration led by deputy commissioner of Kohima Rovilatuo Mor and the Police left for Dzukou from Viswema to take stock of the situation.
The Indian Air Force RAF chopper with water carrier deployed by the Eastern Air Command dropped water to douse the fire today from morning till afternoon.
