Forest Department officials are struggling to control the fire that broke out in Kottamalaiyar beat in Sankarankovil Range in the Western Ghats on Wednesday night.
After the fire broke out at Vazhukkodai Vazhukkuparai in Kottamalaiyar beat after 6 p.m., Chellaiah, president of Kaani Tribes’ Welfare Association, alerted the forest personnel. Led by Balendran, Forest Ranger, Kadayanallur Range, a team of officials went inside the forest in the night to contain the fire with the help of Kaani tribals.
Facilitated by strong westerly wind, the fire spread rapidly in the abundantly grown dry lemongrass which made the operation really difficult for the 30-member fire fighters, including forest personnel, anti-poaching watchers and Kaani tribals. Even as one third of this team was involved in creating ‘fire-lines’ by removing the dry lemongrass in the adjoining areas to prevent further spread of fire, others employed ‘beating of fire’ and counter-fire strategies to control it.
When the fire fighters made some breakthrough at one point, the strong wind effortlessly neutralised their operation by taking the inferno to another point. The brief drizzle also failed to be of any help.
“On getting information about the mishap, a team was dispatched to the inaccessible spot to launch fire fighting exercise, which is being hampered by strong wind. We expect sharp showers with the onset of southwest monsoon along the Western Ghats within the next 48 hours. Even before nature can come to our rescue, our personnel will accomplish the mission,” said P. Sampath, District Forest Officer.
