Nainital Forest Fire Approaches IAF Station: Helicopters and Army Deployed, CM to Convene Meeting in Haldwani

Forest fires in Nainital have prompted urgent responses from multiple agencies, including the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army, as well as local authorities. The blaze, which has been ongoing for over 36 hours, has already consumed numerous hectares of valuable green cover.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has acknowledged the severity of the situation, emphasizing the challenges posed by the fires. He has mobilized resources and sought assistance from the Army to tackle the crisis. Additionally, Dhami has scheduled a meeting in Haldwani to address the situation, following previous discussions held in Dehradun.

Of particular concern is the threat posed to the High Court Colony in Nainital. Dhami has directed various departments to collaborate closely in extinguishing the flames, especially as they encroach dangerously close to residential areas and key installations such as the Air Force Station and Indian Army facilities.

Efforts to contain the fire have involved the deployment of helicopters, with the Nainital Municipal Corporation facilitating water collection from the lake to aid firefighting operations. Boating activities on Naini Lake have been suspended to accommodate these efforts and ensure the safety of vital installations.

#WATCH | Nainital Fire | IAF Mi-17 helicopter takes water from Bhimtal Lake in Nainital as the Forest Department calls in the Indian Air Force and Indian Army for help in controlling the fire in Nainital which has been going on for more than 36 hours and burnt hectares of forest. pic.twitter.com/L6HnLbPU3W

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) April 27, 2024

Also read: AAP’s ‘Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se’ Protest Takes To The Streets Of Delhi

While some structures have been spared, including the High Court Colony, others remain at risk as the fire continues to spread. Anil Joshi, an assistant registrar, reported that while an old vacant house near The Pines has been engulfed, no significant damage has occurred to nearby buildings.

The forest department has deployed a team of 40 personnel to combat the blaze, which is just one of many incidents occurring across Uttarakhand. In the Kumaon region alone, 26 forest fires were recorded within 24 hours, impacting over 33 hectares of land. Similar challenges were faced in Garhwal, with five incidents reported during the same period.

As the situation remains critical, coordinated efforts from various agencies and heightened vigilance are essential in containing and mitigating the devastating impact of the forest fires in Nainital and beyond.