A wildfire has reportedly broken out along a trekking route leading to the scenic Dzükou valley Tuesday afternoon creating panic in the Southern Angami villages.
While the exact cause of the fire could not be ascertained, sources disclosed that preliminary investigation has been initiated to find out whether the fire was man-made or a natural disaster. Southern Angami Youth Organization (SAYO) vice president Khesie Sale told Nagaland Post that the wildfire was raging mostly in Viswema village areas and moving towards Jakhama village as of Tuesday evening. The fire was reportedly noticed at around 2 p.m. some 1 km away from the Dzükou valley.
Sale said SAYO had engaged some of its volunteers to monitor the fire and to ensure that necessary precautionary measures were put into place if the need arises.
SAYO officials and Khuzama police station personnel were reportedly stationed at Dzükou valley making preparations for Nagaland governor RN Ravi’s scheduled visit to the valley on December 30, 2020. Sale informed that SAYO volunteers were trying to tame the fire with everything at their disposal. He said they would, if necessary, avail the assistance from various government agencies like in the past when similar incidents occurred.
He said officials from the forest department had also been deployed after receiving news of the incident. However, he said they were unable to visit the site since night had fallen. SAYO vice president also said that the extent of damage caused by the fire could not be estimated.
Till late night, volunteers were reportedly stationed at various locations along the route to take stock of the situation and keep officials posted with live updates. According to reports, Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority has already requisitioned IAF choppers to douse the fire.