Imphal:
An Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter flies over what appears to be a river and draws water to extinguish a massive forest fire in a forest in Manipur, video showed Sunday. The IAF has deployed four helicopters to fight the fire in the scenic Dzukou Valley that covers parts of Manipur and Nagaland. The Army and the paramilitary Assam Rifles are providing logistical support in the firefighting operation.
“Continuation of operations in the Dzukou Valley. IAF helicopters today resumed operations from Bambi Bucket to put out the fire in the Dzukou Valley near Kohima. Four Mi-17 helicopters have been deployed to Dimapur and Rangapahar to homework, “the Air Force tweeted this morning.
The helicopters are using special ‘Bambi Buckets’ suspended by cables for operation. These buckets are capable of collecting and carrying a massive volume of water, which can be launched from the air at the scene of a fire. These chopper buckets are used around the world to fight forest fires.
The forest fire had started on December 29.
According to the government estimate, more than 200 acres of pristine forest in the valley, which is a global trekking destination, has been burned to the ground due to the fire.
More than 200 firefighters have been forced to participate in the operation.
Last week, Manipur’s Chief Minister N Biren Singh conducted an aerial survey of the valley. Yesterday, he said that firefighters have controlled the blaze on the east side of the valley; The fire control operation on the south side is underway.
The Center has secured all assistance to the Manipur government to deal with the fire. On Saturday, he sent an NDRF team to the valley to assist firefighters.
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