Manipur, Jan 3: Four Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters resumed firefighting operations on Sunday to put off the massive Wildfire in Dzukou the valley spread across from Nagaland to neighbouring Manipur.
A team from the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), firefighters and local volunteers are also on the ground, trying to contain the wildfire that started on December 29.
IAF chopper has been carrying out operations for past three days, flying out from Dimapur in Nagaland.
The centre has assured all necessary help to combat the massive blaze that started in Nagaland five days ago and has since spread to its neighbouring state. On Saturday, the centre airlifted an NDRF team to the Manipur side of Dzukou Valley were over 200 firefighters of the state fire service is on the ground battling the fire.
“The NDRF has deployed 60 personnel at the wildfire site in Dzukou Valley. Also, two helicopters with Bambi buckets have been deployed,” Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh tweeted thanking Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh “for the swift response“.
The @NDRFHQ has now deployed 60 personnel at the wildfire site at Dzuko valley. Also 2 helicopters equipped with Bambi bucket have been deployed to fight the wildfire. Thanks to the men of action Shri. @AmitShah Ji and Shri. @DrJitendraSingh Ji for their prompt intervention. pic.twitter.com/Gb8Y7lw8oZ
— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) January 2, 2021
According to officials, state’s firefighters have been able to partially control the forest fire in the picturesque Dzukou Valley. But, the wildfire on the southern side is yet to be brought under control, they added.
Officials of both state, Nagaland and Manipur, have claimed that by now the wildfire is expected to have destroyed much of the pristine forest, and harmed the rich biodiversity of the valley, which is a globally famous trekking site.
The forest fire had started earlier this week from the Nagaland side of the forest and shifted to the Manipur side. After the fire spread, the Manipur government had sought the assistance of the Indian Army and the NDRF. On Thursday, the Manipur Chief Minister had conducted an aerial survey.
A day later, when the blaze could not be brought under control by the state forest and fire service officials, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had called the chief minister.
Nagaland Governor RN Ravi had also visited the site on Wednesday. The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority is yet to confirm the cause of the wildfire.
