The authorities brought under control a fierce fire that broke out in the forests of Trikuta hills near Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
The authorities brought under control a fierce fire that broke out in the forests of Trikuta Hills, the abode of Mata Vaishno Devi. Two helicopters of the IAF were used to sprinkle water on the fire that broke out from the Reasi dam and it was doused at many places. As per reports, over 200 people including firemen and staff of the Shrine Board have doused the fire in 40 per cent of the affected area and are working on a war footing to douse the fire completely.
The helicopter service from Katra to Vaishno Devi temple was suspended due to the fire. As a precaution, helicopter companies, Himalaya and Global Vectra had shifted the landing base to Mata Vaishno Devi University. However, normal services were restored on Wednesday morning.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Reasi, Dr Jatindra Singh said the fire started in the ridge areas adjoining Banganga and later spread to the forest near Katra helipad. Forest fires are often started by the carelessness of trekkers and those who venture into the forest to collect firewood.
Reasi Deputy Commissioner Ravinder Kumar said that following the massive fire that spread to several areas, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board requested the Indian Air Force to help in controlling the fire. “Today around 6:30 am, Air Force Station, Udhampur received an distress call from the Shrine Board, requesting help in extinguishing the fire. Two Mi-17 helicopters were pressed into service for spraying the forest fire-prone areas to lift water from the Reasi dam”, Kumar said.
He said two Mi-17 helicopters are continuously flying and lifting water to douse the fire. “With the help of the Air Force, we have been able to control the fire to a great extent,” he said. Barring a few remote areas, most of the forest fires in Trikuta hills have been brought under control,” Kumar said. There was no report of any loss of life or property due to the forest fire and the yatra was going on as normal, he said.