Dzukou Valley fire status

Kohima, 5th Jan. (DIPR): The Kohima District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has informed that the wildfire which broke out along a trekking route leading to the scenic Dzükou valley on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 has reportedly been brought under control on the valley site on 3rd January 2021. A total of 24000 litres of water with 12 shuttles have been dropped in today’s fire fighting exercise. Indian Air Force Helicopters were utilised for dropping water at Dzukou fire. A total of 4 helicopters made two trip each on 3rd January 2021.

On 3rd January 2021, ADC & CEO DDMA Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa along with DDMO Thejangulie Zao, DPA Kohima, Victor Yhome and some trained personnel visited the location. Ground operations were carried out by Nagaland Police, Forest, NDRF, SDRF and SAYO Volunteers. SDPO South and Range Forest Officer, Kohima led today’s operation who along with SDO Civil Jakhama have also been coordinating the ground operations. More Volunteers from SDRF, DEF, 4th NAP, Forest Department and SAYO Volunteers went up to Dzukou today. Early morning, Fire watcher informed Range Forest Officer that fire was descending down on South West side. Immediately message was relayed to the control room to brief forces to start cutting fire line on that side to prevent further spread.

Kohima Forest Division and SAYO volunteers have already cut a 5 Km fire line on 31st of December 2020 and another 2 Km fire line was cut by SAYO volunteers on 1st of January 2021 assisted by Kohima Police and SDRF to prevent the spread of fire to valley. On 3rd January further fire line cutting was done to contain the fire in the valley.

DC and Chairman DDMA, Mohammed Ali Shihab A, informed that as a follow up, to maintain a seamless communication with ground ops team, a Control room has been set up by Kohima Police at Dzukou entry point at Viswema village and two relay stations were also set up at resting shed and Base camp area, Dzukou Valley.

According to DC, the fire is concentrated in area between Mt. Tempfu and Elephant gate (near the main Valley) which is descending down towards the valley. Rest of the area along the trekking route (From View point to Base camp area) where major fire were present for past two/three days have completely subsided.

DC and Chairman DDMA also informed that Advisor to Chief Minister of Nagaland, Technical Education & Elections, Government of Nagaland, Medo Yokha accompanied by himself and SP Kohima along with SDO Civil Jakhama, village representatives and others visited Dzükou Valley to take first hand report of fire fighting exercise and inspected the valley yesterday the 2nd January 2021.

SP Kohima, Manoj Kumar also informed that 24 personnel from 4th NAP, 21 personnel-SDRF, 38 personnel – NDRF, 7 personnel – Forest Dept, 10 personnel – Kohima DEF along with SAYO volunteers participated in today ground operation. Another 20 personnel from NDRF Kohima team who were at base camp also joined the ground operations.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio assesses ongoing Dzukou valley fire operation; appreciates the efforts of all stakeholders to help contain the spread of fire in the valley.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio yesterday undertook an aerial survey of Dzukou Valley to get an assessment of the damages caused by the forest fires as well as the operations being carried out to contain and douse the fire. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Advisers, Mmhonlumo Kikon, and Medo Yhokha along with Home Commissioner Nagaland and District Forest Officer Kohima for the aerial survey.

A press release issued by Chief Minister’s Office, said that the Chief Minister witnessed the burned patches in the valley and portions of the forest fires which were still raging. Rio also observed the ongoing ground operations carried out by both the State and Central agencies namely SDRF, personnel of the Forest department, Nagaland Police, NDRF along with Southern Angami Youth Organisation volunteers for making traditional fire line cutting to contain the fire and protect the valley.

The Chief Minister appreciated the tremendous efforts made by everyone which prevented the further spread of fire and helped keep the situation under control. Rio however, desired for continued coordinated effort by all the agencies involved so that the situation is brought under full control and the pristine valley remains protected.

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