Wildfire in Nagaland's Jakhama doused within 10 hours

KOHIMA: In a shocking repetition of the devastating Dzukou valley fire, reports of a second jungle fire in Nagaland's Jakhama was reported in the early hours of January 7.

The fire occurred due to uncertain reasons on a hilly slope of the Southern Angami region, near St Joseph College in Jakhama, Kohima. The fire was moving downwards towards Zhodi -- a residential area close to the site; and had it not been for the timely intervention, the fire could have set ablaze the villages too.

The officer of Kohima Fire Station informed newspersons that the first report of the fire were received at the station at 5:17 am; and the first fire brigade reached the location at 6 am. Later, two additional vehicles were sent over to the region to assist the ground response team. In the meantime, the inferno spread to the surroundings. The team led by one SI included three ASIs, 11 firemen and three drivers. However, after 10 hours of dousing operations, the fire was brought under control at around 4:15 pm.

The incident reportedly scared the inhabitants of the nearby Jakhama village who informed that the particular slope is known to the locals as 'Khadihela' and the mountain as 'Chemyo'.

The fire set ablaze around 100 acres of land, located above the college. Officials informed that no casualties were reported and estimate of the property loss is being ascertained. Reportedly, local villagers, firefighters and volunteers cooperated in dousing the fire.

Some allege that the fire lit by some unidentified persons in a cultivation area on the night of January 6 spread to the top of the mountain in the early morning hours on January 7.

Senior officials of NDRF, Fire and Emergency Services personnel besides MedoYhokha, Advisor to Nagaland CM, Kohima DC, ADC, Jakhama Village Council Chairman, DDMOThejangulieZao visited the site and confirmed that this case of inferno was not related in any way to the Dzukou valley fire. (Agencies)

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