OUR REPORTER AIZAWL, APRIL 26
90% FLAME DOUSED IN LUNGLEI
Prime Minister on Monday assured all possible helps to Mizoram, which is currently grappling with massive forest fires amid the second surge of Covid-19. Massive forest fires have broken out in several parts of Mizoram with Lunglei and Lawngtlai being the worst affected. About 90 per cent of the flame in Lunglei was doused till Monday evening after AIF chopper was stepped into operation, officials said.
Modi has said that he has spoken to Zoramthanga and took stock of the situation arising due to forest fires in parts of the state.
“Assured all possible supports from the Centre in overcoming this crisis. We pray for the safety and wellbeing of the people of Mizoram,” Modi tweeted.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also said condoled the people of Mizoram and urged the government to extend all possible helps.
“My heart goes out to the people of Mizoram where a forest fire has been raging for two days. I request the state government to extend all help possible,” she said in a tweet.
Meanwhile, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Monday thanked the Centre for extending help to the northeastern state by deploying IAF choppers to douse the forest fires raging in several parts of the state.
The chief minister had requested the Indian Air Force (IAF) for help to put out the blaze in Lunglei and surrounding areas.
According to an official, IAF’S Mi17 helicopter commenced a fire fighting operation, with Bambi Buckets, in Zotlang area of Lunglawi town around 3:55 pm. A recce was conducted in the affected areas in the morning. "Thank you so much Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji. I thank the Central Government for its prompt assurance and swift action. The people of #Mizoram says 'Kan lawm e," Zoramthanga tweeted.
According to officials, forest fires broke out in at least five districts- Lunglei, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, and Siaha, in the southern part of the state, and Serchhip district in central Mizoram – prompting the state government to seek help.
However, no human casualty has been reported so far.
Of the five districts, Lunglei and Lawngtlai districts are the worst-affected.
Lunglei district additional deputy commissioner M. Misael said that the wildfire which broke out on Saturday morning in the Saisih area in the outskirts of Lunglei town has spread to more than 8 localities within the town. Though the blaze is still raging in some surrounding forest areas, settlements and villages are now secured. He said that the AIF has deployed one chopper to douse the fires at the request of chief minister Zoramthanga. According to an official statement on Monday, about 90 per cent of the flame in Lunglei was doused till Monday evening after AIF chopper was stepped into operation.
A 8-member IAF team will have a night hold in Lunglei and will resume bambi operation in the town tomorrow if necessary, it said. State additional principal chief conservator of forests Keyiekhrie Kire said that about 427.88 hectare of land has been ravaged by the wildfire in Lunglei district since Saturday.
An official of the fire and emergency services said that at least 12 houses at Bungtlang South village in Lawngtlai district were gutted on Sunday..Champhai district deputy commissioner Maria CT Zuali also said that forest fire has been reported from more than seven places in Champhai district since April 21.
However, the situation in the district is now under control, she said.
(Source: The Mizoram Post Vol. 18 Issue 314 Aizawl Tuesday 27 April 2021 http://www.themizorampost.net/page-view?date=27-04-2121&page_no=1)