Witness the forest fires of Uttarakhand rage on. A fierce inferno consumes the pine forests along the Nainital Bhawali Road, jeopardizing a significant portion of the woods and the ITI premises. In Nainital's Ladiyakanta region, fiery tongues lick through the jungle, casting a smoky veil over the path to Bhawali and halting traffic.
Battling against gusty winds, the firefighting brigade's efforts are nothing short of Herculean. The blaze that threatens to spread into the Indian Army's domain in Ladiyakanta has necessitated the engagement of military forces alongside fire brigades.
The relentless flames across the Kumaon woods have triggered strategic measures. Commencing tomorrow, an aerial assault will be launched with helicopters scooping water from the Nainital and Bhimtal lakes to quench the fiery onslaught. The forests near Nainital's Baldiyakhan, Jyolikot, Mangoli, Khurpatal, Devi Dhura, Bhawali, Pines area, Bhimtal, and Mukteshwar are ablaze, smoldering relentlessly.
Source: aajtak
Alarm bells ring for the inhabitants of High Court Colony, situated precariously in the Pines' embrace, as the wildfire assumes a ferocious form, casting its perilous shadow upon the local thoroughfares. Anil Joshi, an officer from the nearby high court, describes the grim scene as the fire engulfs a desolate dwelling, lurking dangerously close to the Pines.
The High Court Colony stands unharmed, for now; yet, the urgency is palpable as the fire's voracious appetite threatens to encroach upon sensitive zones, prompting an all-hands-on-deck response. In anticipation of further escalation, boating within the tranquil waters of Naini Lake is temporarily curtailed.
A conflagration crisis unfolds as 31 fires have ignited within the last day alone, encroaching upon 33.34 hectares of forest land. Reflecting on the year past, a staggering count of 575 fire incidents have left 689.89 hectares charred and the state reeling from losses surpassing 14 lakh rupees. Noteworthy is the apprehension of three culprits, charged with setting ablaze the Jakholi and Rudraprayag forests.
Amidst this fiery trial, Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stands vigilant, commanding a heightened alert status and seamless interdepartmental collaboration to stifle the flames. The interrogation of one Naresh Bhatt—a shepherd nabbed in the very act of arson—sheds light on a desperate act to cultivate greener pastures for his flock.
