India's National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have continued efforts to bring a wildfire under control in the Dzukou Valley on the border between Manipur and Nagaland.
The NDRF, the apex body for disaster management, has deployed over 60 personnel along with several dozen SDRF workers assisting them.
Speaking to Sputnik, an NDRF member in the valley, said personnel are working day and night to douse the fire, however, they are finding it difficult to bring it under control.
"The fire is spreading rapidly because of strong winds and persistent dryness in the surroundings", the NDRF official said.
#DzukoValley #forestfire update
— ѕαtчα prαdhαnसत्य नारायण प्रधान ସତ୍ଯପ୍ରଧାନ-DG NDRF (@satyaprad1) January 2, 2021
🔸Coordinated efforts ON
🔸@NDRFHQ @ WORK here
🔸with Fire Dept Manipur
🔸Eastern Esii Hills
🔸@12bnndrf
🔸@1Ndrf #firefighting #forestblaze #Committed2Serve🇮🇳 @PMOIndia @HMOIndia @BhallaAjay26 @PIBHomeAffairs @ANI @PIBImphal @PIBKohima pic.twitter.com/rfakJQTTLv
Meanwhile, four Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi-17 helicopters equipped with bambi buckets continued their operations on Sunday morning.
Continuation of Operations #DzoukuValley. IAF helicopters resumed Bambi Bucket operations today towards dousing the fire in Dzouku Valley near Kohima. Four Mi-17 helicopters have been deployed at Dimapur & Rangapahar for the task. pic.twitter.com/3LOCUxTOFL
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) January 3, 2021
The #IAF has deployed 04 Heptrs for dousing Fire in #DzoukuValley near #Kohima #Nagaland. The Bambi Bucket Operations are in full swing.@IAF_MCC @ddnewskohima @RajBhavanKohima @SpokespersonMoD @CmoNagaland pic.twitter.com/hkMvll1LCW
— PRO Kohima, Ministry Of Defence (@prodefkohima) January 2, 2021
The Dzukou Valley is a popular tourist spot famous for its seasonal flowers and biodiversity. The massive fire which started on Tuesday night has caused significant damage to the environment.
The Manipur government had earlier requested aid from the NDRF and the Army to help contain the wildfire.
Indian Home Minister Amit Shah and State Chief of Manipur Nongthombam Biren Singh are continuously monitoring the situation. Shah has assured all the necessary assistance from the Home Ministry will be provided to contain the situation at the earliest.
