From Bhadra Gogoi
Dimapur, Jan 5: Kohima deputy commissioner Mohammed Ali Shihab A., who is also the chairman of District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), said the wildfire at Dzükou valley in the district was more or less under control as on Monday.
The fire broke out along a trekking route leading to the scenic Dzükou valley on December 29.
A meeting to review the entire activities at Dzükou valley was held in the deputy commissioner’s office on Monday. Kohima SP Manoj Kumar, ADC Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa, DFO Raj Kumar and other officials attended the meeting.
Reviewing the ongoing activities at Dzükou, the deputy commissioner said the activities of fire line cutting was carried out in full swing while four India Air Force helicopters, two helicopters from Rangapahar Military Station and two from Dimapur Civil Airfield were on Bambi Bucket operations to contain the inferno.
A total of 14 sorties with 28000 litres of water was dropped yesterday making it a total 56 sorties with 75000 litres of water dropped till date.
The IAF helicopters operated from sunrise to sunset today to contain the spread of fire.
Quoting the IAF assessment, the deputy commissioner said the fire was well within control. He was optimistic that within a day or two the fire situation will be fully under control.
The IAF is doing the entire operation in coordination with the Nagaland government, Kohima district administration, army, Dimapur Civil Airfield, Indian Oil Corporation and Assam Rifles.
Today, the deputy commissioner said a total of 78 personnel, including 17 Kohima police personnel, 10 personnel from 4th NAP, five from Forest department and 46 NDRF personnel (including those stationed at base camp), were engaged in the operation to contain the fire.
After the meeting, the deputy commissioner briefed the entire Dzükou fire status to Nagaland commissioner Rovilatuo Mor.
