DIMAPUR, MARCH 14 (MExN): With the onset of windy/dry season, the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Home Department on Wednesday issued a press statement on fire safety tips to prevent any eventuality of fire accidents.
Home Commissioner, Abhishek Singh in a press release reminded that Nagaland has witnessed many incidents of wild/forest fires in the past which has damaged precious flora and fauna.
In 2015, during the Japfu/Dzukuo forest fire, the Indian Air Force had to be called in along with a host of officials from the Forest Department, NSDMA/DDMA and SDRF etc to douse the raging fire.
These recurring forest fires have destroyed hundreds of acres of forest cover. Fire incidents have been recorded as one of the major disastrous events in Nagaland. Every year the State witnesses huge number of fire accidents caused by electrical short circuits and human negligence.
During this dry/windy season, the NSDMA has cautioned the public to stay safe from fire accidents. For public consumption, the department also provided some fire safety tips- When going on an outing to the forest during dry/windy season, be informed about the danger in your region or in the sector where you intend to go and the preventive measures in effect.
Always have an emergency kit at home and burn anything (house hold waste, dead leaf) at the end of the day, when there is no wind, far from vegetation.
It is also advised that cigarettes, matches etc from moving vehicles should never be discarded anywhere near forests. Be certain to completely extinguish cigarettes before disposing of them.
Further, if caught in a wildfire it is advised to look for a body of water such as a pond or river to crouch in. If there is no water nearby, find a depressed, cleared area with vegetation, lie low to the ground, and cover your body with wet clothing, a blanket, or even soil.
"Stay low and covered until the fire passes. Protect your lungs by breathing air closest to the ground, through a moist cloth, if possible, to avoid inhaling smoke," the NSDMA adviced.
The public has also been requested to report sightings of wild fire to NSDMA toll free number 1070 which is active 24/7 or the concerned District Fire & Emergency Services.
