Nagaland: Massive fire breaks out in Dzukou valley, viewpoint destroyed

Kohima: A massive fire broke out in Nagaland's famous Dzukou valley on Tuesday. The fire which was caused due to unknown reasons, set ablaze the iconic Dzukou Valley Viewpoint, which is a famous tourist stop in the valley. According to Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority, the damages from the incident are not yet clear. 

According to reports, the blazing fire in the valley  was so huge that it even became visible from the state capital Kohima. Due to the strong winds and dry season, the fire is even expected to move further towards the main valley. 

Having confirmed the occurrence, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) said that they had already requisitioned the Indian Air Force (IAF) choppers to douse the fire. As per reports, volunteers of Southern Angami Youth Association (SAYO), a local organisation which is deeply engaged in the valley's protection, would visit the iconic valley early on Wednesday to assess the damages and causes of the fire. 

Known for its scenic natural beauty, the Dzukou valley located in Nagaland's Kohima district is famous for its natural environment, seasonal flowers and flora and fauna. Every year, the valley attracts thousands of tourists from all over India as well as abroad and offers exciting adventures such as trekking and zip-lining. The valley is situated at an altitude of 2,452 metre above sea level and lies in the interstate border between Nagaland and Manipur. The valley which is about 30 kilometres away from Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, houses endangered tragopans and other species of birds and animals.

Reportedly, the massive fire broke out late in the night on Tuesday and the flames started appearing in the Kohima sky around 2.30 PM. 

Earlier, two other events of fire break-outs were reported in the valley. The first one which took place in 2006 engulfed a 20-km stretch of Southern Dzukou. Back then, the state government had to send SOS calls of help to the central government for logistical aids like choppers. In the second time, the fire broke out in November 2018 when members of SAYO had singlehandedly managed the damages and doused the fire.

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