Forest fire spreads to Kambalakonda near Vizag
VISAKHAPATNAM: With the raging forest fire that broke out on the Gudilova Hills spreading to the Kambalakonda reserve forest areas, state government roped in navy and National Disaster Response Force to put out the flames.
While the blaze fanned by winds caused concern, incharge collector Praveen Kumar clarified that the fire has been controlled. He further said that aerial monitoring will continue to ensure that the fire has been completely put out.
As the fire spread to Kambalakonda reserve forest area, four navy choppers were deployed to control the blaze. The naval choppers strived hard to douse the fire, sprinkling water continuously using Bambi buckets.
The choppers sourced water from Gambheeram and Mudasarlova reservoirs to control the blaze. Meanwhile, National Disaster Response Force personnel also joined fire department of Andhra Pradesh, supported by the police and revenue officials, trying their best to control the fire.
However, the squally winds fanned the fire, which was spreading fast and furious posing a challenge to the operation. The fire fighting personnel are simultaneously sprinkled water in the surrounding areas in a bid to prevent the fire from spreading wild.
Additional director general of police (Fire) N Sambasiva Rao, incharge collector Praveen Kumar and forest officials supervised the operation. As many as 300 personnel participated in the operation. Ministers Ganta Srinivasa Rao and Ch Ayyannapatrudu also visited the spot.
Though there is no evidence on how the fire broke out, the officials expressed doubts that the Karthika Deepam lit by devotees at the hill temple might have triggered the blaze. Some women devotees had lit lamps as part of the Karthika Masam rituals on Monday. Officials said that the winds triggered by the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal, might have fanned the fire from diyas.
News Posted: 8 November, 2014
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