After four days, the raging forest fires that devastated large tracts of Dzükou valley, were finally contained to a large extent at Viswema and Jakhama through painstaking efforts by two helicopters deployed by the Easter Air Command including hundreds of volunteers.
Official sources from Forest department informed that the two IAF choppers operated five sorties Saturday starting at 9 am. The two choppers airlifted more than 22,000 liters of water reportedly from Padumpukhri in Dimapur and sprayed it over the inferno.
The operation had to be suspended mid-way due to high velocity wind blowing at more than 70 Kms per hour which obstructed the operation.
The Forest department sources disclosed that at the special request from the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) under home department, the Air Traffic Control Dimapur approved the request to open by 6 a.m. so that the air operation could begin by 6.30 a.m.
The sources also informed that the fire fighting operations would be concentrated mainly on Japfü range, taking into account the latest Geographic Information Survey (GIS) inputs.
Minister Forest, environment and ecology Dr. Nicky Kire who has been visiting the base camps at Viswema Saturday and Jakhama the previous day, heaped praises on the improved situation and all the people involved in the mission.
Deputy Commissioner Kohima and some police officers also went to the valley with SAPO and SAYO Office bearers.
The coordination committee also decided to send around 50-60 volunteers and forest personnel to valley in the early hours on Sunday to control possible spread of the fire.
The contingent planned to remain the valley guest house and will be supported adequately by logistics.
DIPR reports: The fire in the Dzükou valley which started Wednesday was still spreading and the inferno moving towards Mt japfu and Mt Tempu ranges.
On Saturday at around 6:30 am, 30 IRB personnel from the 14th Battalion, 20 army personnel from 164 Bn, Naga Territorial Army, Jakhama, 50 forest personnel from Dimapur and Kohima, 70 to 80 volunteers from Southern Angami villages, SAYO and SAPO members along with the district administration led by the DC Kohima Rovilatuo Mor and the Police left for Dzükou from Viswema to take stock of the situation.
The Indian Air Force RAF chopper with water carrier deployed by the Eastern Air Command dropped water to douse the fire today from morning till afternoon. Interacting with those present at the base camp the DC said that SAYO officials should take up the matter seriously and initiate preventive measures so that such fire incidents do not occur in future.
Minister for Forest, Environment & Ecology, Dr Nicky Kire also visited the base camp today at Viswema and interacted with the administration, forest, SAYO and SAPO officials. Refreshment and food were managed by SAPO and SAYO at the base camp.