Abu fire shows no signs of abating

Mount Abu: The forest inferno raging through the forests near Mount Abu shows no signs of abating even as the Indian Air Force, Army and CRPF continue a Herculean operation to douse the flames that many times have come dangerously close to human habitation.

The forest fire that has been raging since April 10 had gripped at least 30 important points around Abu. While it has been doused at many places with the help of IAF’s helicopter water tenders and Army men, the gusty winds are resulting in the blaze sparking off at many other places. The forest is scattered by dry leaves due to autumn. The

IAF

has airdropped nearly 4 lakh litres of water in nearly 170 sorties by two choppers.

On Monday too, the Gorkha Rifles, Konark Corps and local fire brigade had to rush to Aarna village, just five km from the main town, when massive fire broke out in the forests at around 11.15 am. Sources said had it not been extinguished quickly, the flames could have engulfed some portions of the human habitat. Ten fire tenders battled the blaze for nearly two hours and the operations continued till late evening. Thick smoke was billowing along the highway towards the Gambhir Nala. The authorities and armed forces are making continuous efforts to ensure that the vehicular movement on the sole highway connecting the hill town is not disrupted.

As many as 600 Army jawans and five officers, 14 chopper crew and 40 air warriors overseen by five IAF officers and 300 CRPF men with their 14 officers are engaged in the firefighting operation.

While the fire was first reported on April 10, it was only on April 14 that concerted efforts began to douse and chief minister Vasundhara Raje requested the IAF to aid the operation.