Showers douse forest fires in mid, lower hills

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 3

Thunderstorm, accompanied by sharp showers, lashed several parts of the state today. Not only residents, but forest officials too heaved a sigh of relief as the showers doused the forest fires in the mid and lower hills to some extent.

High-velocity winds in the state capital and its adjoining areas brought respite from the sweltering heat. Lower areas of the state were hit by a dust storm, with haze enveloping the landscape.

As many as 200 ground fires were reported in the past 24 hours, devastating 3,500 hectares. However, no loss of life was reported.

“The rain caused a sharp fall in the mercury and helped douse residual fires in the forests near Shimla,” said a forest official. He said the rain would provide moisture in the forest areas and wet pine needles would not catch fire.

“The increase in the forest fires is being attributed to the rise in temperature, but with rain, things will get better,” the official said.

The Met Department has predicted rain/thundershowers/snow at isolated places across the state in the next four days. Weathermen have predicted thundershowers, accompanied by hailstorm, at isolated places tomorrow and rain/thundershowers across the state tomorrow.

Kalpa received mild showers while Kufri, Shimla and Sundernagar recorded 8 mm, 4 mm and 3 mm of rain. The mercury plummeted by seven notches in Una, which recorded a high of 36 degree Celsius against 43 degree Celsius yesterday while Shimla was cooler with the maximum temperature at 24 degree Celsius against 29.8 degree Celsius yesterday. Meanwhile, the Rohtang Pass was opened for heavy vehicles today.

“No vehicle can go to Keylong after 5 pm,” said a BRO official.

200 ground fires in 24 hours

• As many as 200 ground fires were reported in the past 24 hours, devastating 3,500 hectares
• The rain caused a sharp fall in the mercury and helped douse residual fires in the forests near Shimla
• The increase in the forest fires is being attributed to the rise in temperature, but with rain, forest officials are hopeful of respite  

1,798 fire incidents in 2012-13

• In 2015-16, a total of 671 fire incidents had destroyed 5,733 hectares of forests
• The worst was in 2012-13 when 1,798 fire incidents were reported and forest wealth on 20,763 hectares was destroyed
• Billowing smoke from the hills of Shimla, Kasauli, Chail, Dharampur, Bilaspur and Nahan towns have become common these days
• Forest fires on Monday also threatened the existence of the world heritage Kalka-Shimla rail line at several points near Dharampur town, 65 km from here — IANS