A Kohima police team led by deputy superintendent of police (South) Vitoshe K Sumi along with personnel of Nagaland Armed Police (NAP), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Sunday reached the Dzukou Valley to fight the massive wildfire.
Nagaland forest department officials and Southern Angami Youth Organization (SAYO)volunteers are assisting in the fire fighting efforts in the valley situated along the Manipur-Nagaland border.
The wild forest fire originated on the Nagaland side of the valley on December 29 and spilled over to the Manipur side soon.
The valley is known for its wide variety of flora and fauna.
A team of 60 NDRF personnel had reached Manipur on Saturday to control the fire that has been spreading rapidly because of strong winds and persistent dryness in the surroundings.
Also read: NDRF, IAF personnel battles wildfire in Manipur’s Dzukou Valley
The Indian Air Force also deployed four helicopters with Bambi basket in the operations to douse the fire.
Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh said, “All efforts are being made on a war footing level to douse the massive wildfire that has engulfed the Dzuko valley in the Nagaland and has spread to the Manipur side. We will bring the situation under control soon.”
According to the forest officials of Nagaland, the fire is descending down on the south-western side of the Dzukou Valley and the firefighters will engage in fire line cutting from this direction.
Medo Yokha, advisor to the Nagaland chief minister accompanied by senior police officials and representatives from different villages visited the Dzukou Valley on Saturday to inspect the fire fighting operation.
The Manipur government on Saturday also provided two helicopters to be used by firefighters and local volunteers during the operations.
Union home minister Amit Shah has assured all assistance to douse the wildfire in the valley.