EXPLAINED l All About Mizoram Forest Fire Raging For Over 2 Days As IAF Joins Efforts To Douse Blaze

In a press statement, Mizoram DIPR informed that the fire severely affected localities such as Zotlang, Serkawn, Chanmari in Lunglei town, even engulfing "some buildings".

New Delhi: Mizoram's Lunglei district is witnessing an Australia-type bushfire raging for two days which the Indian Air Force helicopters with Bambi Buckets are making efforts to put out.

Officials stated that the Mizoram government firefighters who are supported by Assam Rifles and Border Security Force troops and local volunteer groups have so far not been able to douse the fire.

As the situation saw little to no improvement, the Indian Air Force receiving an SOS from the Mizoram government. It pressed into service two Mi-17V5 helicopters late on Sunday evening, equipped with specialised Bambi Buckets.

Mizoram Forest Fire: How Did The Situation Escalate?

The fire sparked around 7 a.m. on Saturday perhaps while some villagers were trying to clear the hills near Lunglei town possibly for shifting cultivation as seen commonly.

The fire went on to spread to Lunglei town and villages in the adjoining district of Lawngtlai late on Sunday night.

The situation escalated as it transformed into a raging bushfire spreading to ten village council areas in and around Lunglei town. It then spread to three rural development blocks of the Lawngtlai district by Sunday night.

"We have controlled much of the fire by Saturday evening itself," said A. Kulothungan, DC, Lunglei district, "However, it erupted again on Sunday morning and is still raging. High winds and dry vegetation have caused the spread of the fire and it is now a huge challenge to put it out".

In a press statement, Mizoram DIPR informed that the fire severely affected localities such as Zotlang, Serkawn, Chanmari in Lunglei town, even engulfing "some buildings".

But it was hopeful that the fire in Lunglei town "could be contained and doused before it caused any major loss to property".

"As the fire had spread close to human settlements, the administration evacuated residents. But no death or injuries to citizens or damage to their property were reported so far,' DC Kulothungan told news agency IANS.

However, the Lawngtlai district has undergone damages because of the raging blaze.

"In Bungtlang South, the fire completely destroyed fourteen houses. Nobody was injured but livestock perished in the fire," said Marilyn Rualzakhumthangi, ADC, Lawngtlai district.

"Smaller fires are still burning but that might not jeopardise human settlements but we cannot be complacent," ADC Rualzakhumthangi added.

Mizoram forest officials had previously informed that around 1,300 forest fires were reported in the state last year.

Responses

Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked to Mizoram CM Zoramthanga and took stock of the situation.

Taking to Twitter, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh expressed worry over the wildfire and assured that the situation will be brought under control soon.

Mizoram CM Zoramthanga thanked Indian Air Force for the help.

 

Environment Activist Licypriya Kangujam termed the forest fire as a "climate change emergency". 

Actress turned politician Urmila Matondkar also tweeted to express concern.

Forest Fires In North-East

According to their inputs, around 1,090 incidents occurred because of Jhum which is also known as slash-and-burn cultivation, while natural causes led to 210 such incidents.

In Jhum, cultivators clear a forest tract by slashing vegetation and burning it before planting seeds.

The Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun has reported that forests of the Northeast and central India regions are the most vulnerable when it comes to forest fires.

Forests in Assam, Mizoram, and Tripura have been identified as "extremely prone" to such blaze, not only because they have substantial forest cover but because in recent years, monsoon has been delayed causing the vegetation to dry up.

(With Agency Inputs)