Imphal, Dec 31: A massive wildfire has engulfed the picturesque Dzukou valley, famous for its natural environment, seasonal flowers, and bio-diversity, in the Manipur-Nagaland border causing massive damage to the environment and its biodiversity.
Manipur Chief Minister N.Biren Singh in a series of tweets last night said that wildfire at Dzuko valley Officials and villagers could not enter the burning areas as the scale of fire is too large with strong winds and there is no proper equipment it may be difficult to control by manpower.
Very unfortunate, that a wild fire has started at the Dzuko Valley, one of the most beautiful place in https://t.co/KHO56WZKZv probably started about 2-3 days ago from the Nagaland side and crossed over to our side. It is likely that the fire might even reached Mt.Iso areaToday, pic.twitter.com/lvdxZDOhaU
— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) December 30, 2020
“The grasses are dry, More manpower is sent with equipment,” the Chief Minister said in a late-night tweet.
In another tweet, he said: “Very unfortunate, that a wildfire has started at the Dzuko Valley, one of the most beautiful places in Manipur.
This photo is clicked at 8.30am from Mao side at mount khugho.(Dzuko FIRE)It has already crossed Mount ASIi the highest peak of Manipur.If the wind direction going to southern side,There is high possibility of entering in the thickest forest call Koziirii in Manipur. Need help 🙏 pic.twitter.com/60OoxtWR3j
— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) December 31, 2020
According to official sources from Nagaland, where locals have been able to see the flames from afar as from the Nagaland’s capital Kohima of Tuesday, said that the fire caught probably about 2-3 days ago from the Nagaland side and crossed over to the Manipur side.
In Kohima, the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) officials said that the massive fire broke out due to unknown reasons.
“The inferno set ablaze the iconic Dzukou valley viewpoint, which is a famous tourist spot in Nagaland. The quantum of damages from the incident is not yet ascertained.
The blaze in the valley was so huge that it even became visible from the state capital Kohima. Due to the strong winds and dry season, the fire is even expected to move further towards the main valley,” an NSDMA official said.
The official said that they are considering requisitioning the Indian Air Force (IAF) choppers to douse the fire.
Media reports said that volunteers of Southern Angami Youth Association (SAYO), a local organization that is deeply engaged in the valley’s protection, rush to the iconic valley early on Wednesday to assess the damages and causes of the fire
