Dzükou safe from fire so far; operations to continue

Our Correspondent
Dzükou, Jan. 8 (EMN): The pristine Dzükou Valley continued to remain safe and unharmed from the undying fire, thanks to the joint efforts of government agencies and local volunteers who have been braving the cold and tirelessly fighting the inferno since its outbreak on December 29.

Divisional forest officer (DFO), Kohima, Rajkumar M informed on Thursday that the scenic valley has remained intact.

Rajkumar said that on one occasion, the fire was descending down the valley but the ground team was able to extinguish it.

President of Southern Angami Youth Organisation (Sayo), Zakieleto Tsükrü said the fire has spread above Terütsükhwe.

“By evening, some fires started to come towards the valley but the ground operation team physically doused it,” Rajkumar said.

After that, there was no active fire being reported from the base camp, he said, adding that the situation is being monitored since the ground fire is unpredictable.

However, normal operations would be carried out today (Friday), assisted by Indian Air Force (IAF) choppers, whenever fresh fire is reported, he said, adding that the forces have been camping in the valley since Wednesday night as the location of the fire is ‘very far from the base camp’ and it is taking them longer to reach the affected areas.

“So we were camping since yesterday (Wednesday) night and people have started their operations in the morning around 5:30 am (on Thursday) to reach the side from where the fire is occurring,” he said, adding that the IAF choppers air-dropped supplies for the personnel camping at Dzükou.

Meanwhile, the president of Southern Angami Youth Organisation (Sayo), Zakieleto Tsükrü, said that the fire had spread above Terütsükhwe.

It was learnt that the territorial Army from Jakhama including administration representatives have also been deployed at the camping site to fight the inferno.

Meanwhile, sources from Nagaland State Disaster Management (NSDM) informed that the requisition of two additional choppers from the Ministry of Defence is still awaited.

It may mentioned that more than hundred personnel from government agencies such as Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Kohima Forest Division (KFD), District Executive Force (DEF), 4th Nagaland Armed Police, Home Guards and Civil Defence, as well as Sayo volunteers have been tackling the inferno for days now.

Monitoring to continue

The deputy commissioner of Kohima, Mohammed Ali Shihab A, informed at an emergency District Disaster Management Agency (DDMA) meeting that the team deployed at ground zero had updated that the fire on southern side that was descending was doused physically.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of the DC, who is also the chairman of DDMA Kohima, at his office on Thursday to review the Dzükou fire operation activities, and it was attended by officials like OSD to NSDMA Nagaland, Johny Rongmei; SP Kohima, Manoj Kumar; DFO Kohima Raj Kumar; and ADC Kohima Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa, according to an update from DPRO Kohima.

It was informed that at least 303 people, comprising personnel from government agencies and Sayo volunteers carried out ground operation on Thursday. Shihab also updated that the team stationed at the base camp will monitor the fire situation and plan for Friday’s operation accordingly.