A massive fire broke out in the forest area of Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan's Alwar district, a forest official said on Tuesday.
The fire spread over 10 square km, raging for over 24 hours, according to ndtv.com. Rescuers are trying to harness water from the lake in a parachute, accirding to NDTV.
The cause of the blaze, which erupted on Monday evening and has been burning an area of around five to ten sq km, is yet to be ascertained, officials said. Tiger movement in the area has been affected by the fire, the forest official said.
According to ndtv.com, firefighters are trying to bring the situation under control. "The two IAF helicopters have been scooping up water from Rajasthan's Siliserh Lake and dropping over the forest fire in Sariska, 43 km from the lake," ndtv.com adds.
According to officials, around 150-200 people, including the forest staff, are engaged in controlling the fire. Two helicopters from Army have also been called in to douse the blaze. "Villagers residing in the periphery of the fire-affected area have been asked to move to safety," the official said.
