Aizawl: A massive forest fire that started raging in South Central Mizoram since Saturday last has put the state government in a quandary, with the scarce resources available already being pressed into service to combat the Covid pandemic. Besides, acute water scarcity owing to it being a pre-monsoon month is making the stiff task all the more difficult.
The fire that originated in the hilly terrains of the Lunglei district is spreading into the neighbouring Chandmary area and adjoining villages. The fire fighters from the neighbouring Assam Rifles, local Mizos, state fire brigade ranks besides BSF units were seen battling the massive fire with limited success.
The Mizo government subsequently requisitioned the IAF to provide its Bambi bucket equipped helicopters to douse the flames. Though the fire continued to rage, and a few fire fighters sustained injuries, the situation is expected to get under control soon, informed state government sources. At the time of going to press, there were no casualties reported.Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked to Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga today and took stock of the situation arising due to forest fires in parts of the state.
Later in a tweet, Zoramthanga thanked the Centre for extending help to the state by deploying IAF choppers to douse the forest fires raging in several parts of the state, after he had talked to the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi,
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, the IAFS Mi17 helicopter commenced a fire fighting operation, with Bambi Buckets, in the Zotlang area of Lunglawi town around 3:55 pm.
When queried about the cause of the fire, local sources informed that it could possibly be due to jhum cultivation or shift farming strategy adopted by the tribals and forest dwellers, also known as the slash and burn agriculture. The cause has however, not been positively identified so far.
