Nagaland Fires: Multiple Blazes Contained, But Authorities Remain Vigilant
Multiple wildfires that broke out in Wokha district on March 17 have been successfully contained, but authorities are still monitoring the situation closely to prevent any possible resurgence. The swift containment effort was a result of coordinated efforts by multiple agencies, volunteers, and local communities, averting a major crisis for several villages.
The fire started around 10 am on March 17, with authorities receiving alerts at approximately 1 pm. By 1:27 pm, response teams, including Fire and Emergency Services, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and volunteers, were dispatched to the area. The fire spread quickly, threatening several villages, but the combined efforts of multiple teams, including the police, urban development, and forest department, as well as volunteers from Wokha Village and Witter Theological College, helped bring the situation under control.
Despite some initial challenges, the team was able to contain the fire’s spread towards Humtsoe and Elumyo villages while majorly focusing on preventing it from reaching inhabited areas in Vankhosung and Wokha villages. Strong winds and the fire’s intensity made it difficult for responders to get close, but a shift in wind direction later that night helped prevent the fire from reaching the village, and by 1:30 am, the team was demobilized.
The next day, firefighting operations resumed at 7:30 am, with more volunteers joining the effort. The focus shifted to securing inhabited areas as the fire moved into a steeper, less accessible jungle. The team identified an agricultural road below the burning area and instructed village councils of Yikhum and Humtsoe to clear dry vegetation along the road, which they promptly did. This helped create a firebreak, allowing responders to contain the fire effectively.
A missing team member went missing in Vankhosung on March 18, prompting a simultaneous rescue operation that successfully recovered him on March 19. Meanwhile, a team used drones to monitor the fire’s progression and assess remaining smoke pockets. They observed that in some areas, the fire was dying down, while in others, villagers were successfully managing counterfires, which helped control its spread.
The incident also led to reports of another jungle fire in Niroyo Village, which was quickly assessed, and a drone was used to monitor the situation. While the damage was significant, villagers had managed to control the fire by starting counterfires, preventing further spread. The authorities were confident that the fire remained contained and posed no further threat.
In light of the incident, L. Jonjibemo Odya, Assistant Manager of Relief, Recovery, and Mitigation, and Nodal Officer of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Wokha, urged farmers, village councils, and residents to exercise caution when practicing jhum cultivation, especially during the dry and windy season. He emphasized the importance of proper fire safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Deputy Commissioner and DDMA Wokha Chairman Vineet Kumar extended his appreciation to all officers and frontline workers for their efforts in handling the disaster, stating, “We will continue to review our response protocols to improve preparedness for future emergencies.” The DDMA Wokha also commended the contributions of various departments and volunteers, including personnel from the SDRF, Fire and Emergency Services, Home Guards Civil Defence, Wokha Forest Department, Wokha Police, and others who provided invaluable support during the crisis.
Original Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/wokha-wildfires-contained-vigilance-continues
Category : Nagaland
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Publish Date: 2025-03-19 23:05:00
