Dzuko wildfire partially contained

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 3: Although it has been six days since a wildfire has been raging across Mount Iso and Dzuko Valley in Senapati district, all the fire fighting efforts have not succeeded in bringing the inferno under total control.
Nonetheless, Chief Minister N Biren informed that the inferno has been brought under control in many areas although it is still raging in some other parts.
A combined team of NDRF, SDRF, Police, Fire Brigade and local volunteers have been struggling hard to contain the inferno and they are being assisted by helicopters of Indian Air Force.
Since yesterday, three Mi-17 V5 helicopters have been spraying water from the air over the areas where the inferno has been raging. The helicopters have been spraying water over the treacherous areas of Mount Iso too, sources informed.
Top civil and police officials have been camping at Mao and are monitoring the  efforts to control the inferno.
Meanwhile another team of NDRF arrived at Mao today. Counting the latest one, five teams of NDRF are currently engaged in fighting the inferno.
Even though the inferno originated in Nagaland, it has been raging across Mount Iso in Manipur.
On the other hand, a coordination meeting was held at Dimapur Airport on the Dzuko wildfire together with pilots of Indian Air Force.
The meeting decided to continue the helicopter operation until the wildfire is contained. The coordination meeting further decided to ensure smooth coordination between pilots and NDRF personnel who have been fighting the inferno on ground.
Notably, the Central Government has assured all necessary help to combat the massive blaze that started in Nagaland five days ago and has since spread to Manipur.
Apart from NDRF teams, over 200 firefighters of the State fire service are on ground battling the fire.