Dzukou Valley inferno: Another fire reported in Nagaland's Jakhama Village

KOHIMA/IMPHAL:

Two weeks since a fire broke out at Dzukou Valley on the Nagaland side, firefighters from the central and state agencies are still battling to douse the raging inferno that has razed most of the southern slope at the Nagaland-Manipur border.

While the flame is yet to be doused in most parts, another fire has been reported on Thursday at Jakhama Village in Nagaland's Southern Angami, a town located close to Dzukou Valley.

Nagaland Advisor Medo Yhokha along with village officials, police and district administration inspected the site to take stock of the situation in the village.

The team on duty informed that after a combined effort of the personnel on duty the fire at Jakhama is under control at the moment, but the destruction that has been caused by the fire is an unfortunate sight to see.Yhokha also stated that the terrain factor makes the task tough for the firefighters deployed to douse the fire.

Giving the latest update on the inferno at Dzükou valley, Yhokha informed, "Currently there are around 300 personnel on the ground involved in the exercise to douse the fire".

Yhokha also stated that Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had surveyed the valley and highlighted the issue to the centre for the deployment of additional assistance in terms of logistics and other requirements.

"Local organisations involved in the mission with the help of the disaster management team are doing an excellent job", he added.

A meeting with the local volunteers and other organisations is scheduled for Friday to streamline the effort of all forces involved to douse the fire.

An additional team of 100-200 volunteers will be sent to the valley tomorrow to provide additional support to the teams already on duty.

Meanwhile, four helicopters of the Indian Air Force will continue the mission to assist the firefighter at Dzukou Valley on Friday.

(Edited by Iban Mawrie and Shankar Turha)