The Dzukou Valley fire is “almost” under control on the Nagaland side but “somewhat” under control on the Manipur side six days after it started but those involved in the fire-fighting operations are not lowering their guard with the NDRF-SDRF setting up base camps close to the affected sites to add more manhours at ground zero by cutting down on trekking time.
The picturesque valley is located on the border of Nagaland (Kohima district) and Manipur (Senapati district) and is a popular trekking destinations for both domestic and international tourists.
The fire reportedly started on December 29 on the Nagaland side and spread to the neighbouring Manipur.
Johnny Ruangmei, OSD, Nagaland SDMA, said after an aerial assessment with a team of the Indian Air Force that the fire has been controlled by “80 to 90 per cent” on the Nagaland side due to the collective effort of personnel from both the Central and state governments and local volunteers.
Smoke billows from the Senapati side of the Dzukou Valley. Pictures released by the IAF on Sunday Picture released by the NDRF
“The operation may continue tomorrow to douse some of the minor fires on the hillocks. The Dzukou Valley portion is safe as witnessed from the aerial survey,” Ruangmei said.
A Manipur forest department official told The Telegraph that forest and fire department personnel have been able to somewhat contain the fire on the western side of mount Iso but fire is still raging on the inaccessible southern side where the IAF is continuing its Bambi bucket operation, that is pouring water on the affected areas.
A senior NDRF official told this newspaper that they are setting up camps on both sides of the valley so that they can easily reach the affected site. While the affected sites can be reached swiftly from the Nagaland side compared to the Manipur side because of very steep slopes.
“Some 20 camps have been set for NDRF, SDRF and police personnel on the foothills of Mt Iso, some 3km from the affected site. Setting up the camps on the foothills will help us add more manhours in actual operation. We are now having to spend significant amount of time trekking to the spots.
“Moreover, it helps to stay close when there is no mobile connectivity,” the official said, adding this is the first time they are involved in fire-fighting operations in the northeast. About 15 SDRF personnel are camping near the affected site under Kohima district.
NDRF personnel set up camps on the foothills in Manipur’s Senapati district on Sunday. Picture released by the NDRF
In the ongoing effort to douse the wildfire, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles are providing all possible assistance to the NDRF teams in terms of accomodation, tentage and logistics resources so that they can execute their task effectively, an official said.
The Indian Army is also providing its aviation base for launch of Bambi bucket operations and coordinating ground support, air traffic control, air space management as well as other logistics support to Indian Air Force, thereby augmenting the air-effort.
Senior Army officials also had a meeting with the state administration for better synergy in the ongoing efforts. As many as four IAF choppers and seven teams of the NDRF are working on the ground.