The Indian Air Force and Army have been deployed to assist to douse the forest fires that have been raging for over 36 hours in the Nainital region of Uttarakhand, reports ANI.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed its personnel and MI-17 choppers to douse it. As per an official, the choppers are taking water from the neighbouring Bhimtal Lake in Nainital and spraying it in the area to confine and ultimately put out the raging forest fire. According to the latest reports, the choppers were pouring water over the affected forests surrounding Nainital with bags and buckets suspended on a rope.
The step was taken after the IAF conducted an aerial survey over the areas of Nainital, Bhimtal and Sattal lakes to identify suitable locations for dousing operations.
Rahul Anand, the executive officer of Nainital Nagar Palika, informed ANI that MI-17 choppers are jet-spraying on the affected areas amid the raging forest fire. “I carried out an aerial inspection and can confirm IAF choppers have been involved in firefighting operations in the affected forests since this morning,” Anand said.
The fire has already destroyed several hectares of the forested area and the leaping flames have not yet been completely under control, despite of the continuous efforts of the forest department and the firefighting IAF troops.
Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the fires would soon be brought under control. “The Army is also being asked for help in this regard and the fire is being extinguished through helicopters. Today, I will also hold a meeting with the officials in Haldwani regarding the issue of forest fires,” the CM said, as quoted by The Indian Express.
Since November 1 of last year, the state has reported 575 incidents of forest fires, impacting approximately 689.89 hectares of forest land. The damages incurred by these fires have cost the state more than Rs 14 lakh.
(with ANI inputs)