No active fire was detected in the Dzükou Valley area on January 8 as per reports from the base camp. (DIPR Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | January 8
In what may come as a sigh of relief for both authorities and citizens alike, it was informed that there were no reports of active fire in the Dzükou Valley area on January 8.
Rajkumar M, Kohima Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) informed The Morung Express that ‘the situation is under control’ at the scenic valley.
“From yesterday afternoon, no fresh fires could be seen,” the DFO said, while adding that smoke was spotted in three locations on Friday morning.
While the Ground Operation team could reach two of the locations and douse the remnants of the fire, they could not reach the third location towards the South West side of the valley. According to the DFO, the location is ‘totally inaccessible’ however, ‘there is not much smoke’ at that location.
“Operations will continue tomorrow. Tonight also almost 200 personnel and volunteers are stationed at the base camp,” the DFO informed.
The team will move from the base camp by 5:30 am on Saturday. It will require almost six hours to reach the location.
Giving the updates of Friday’s firefighting operation, SP Kohima, Manoj Kumar informed that as per the report of the Ground Operation team camped at Dzükou base camp, no active fire or smoke was visible from the camp site till 8:30 am in the morning. However after few hours smoke was noticed at three locations with low intensity and no fire.
Accordingly, the teams were mobilized to the sites and the fire was physically doused successfully at two locations.
Owing to the distance, rough terrain and the unavailability of the track, the team could not reach the third location, which is on the extreme ridge visible from the camp site, as per a DIPR report.
The team also informed that the team will assess the situation and carry out the operation as planned.
The Kohima District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) reviewed the Dzükou fire operation on Friday under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Chairman DDMA Kohima, Mohammed Ali Shihab A in his office.
OSD to Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Johnny Ruangmei informed that Indian Air Force (IAF) will continue the operation on January 9 to douse the visible smoke at the site.
Reiterating the ban on jungle burning, the DC also reminded Area Administrative Officers to strictly implement the order in their respective areas.
The meeting was attended by ADC Kohima Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa and other DDMA Officials.
