It’s no secret that India is currently under a severe spell of summer heat. With the heat wave taking over most parts of the country, there are news pieces coming up about fires erupting in urban areas. However, even the forests in the country have now come under a severe dry spell. Yes, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have reported multiple instances of forest fires.
Forest Fire Erupts In Hilly Areas
About 25 forest fires had already been reported in Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday. This has taken the number of blazes, up for the season! According to a report by the Times Of India, it was mentioned that the number of forest fires reported has reached 1,172 so far! As a result, property worth ₹3 crores has already been damaged, as well! It’s worth noting that not just Himachal Pradesh but forest fires have also erupted in Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir as well.
Other Places Where Forest Fires Were Reported
The same report also mentions that forest fires were also reported in Chingus Block and several other forest areas. These included those in the subdivisions of Rajouri and Udhampur Districts in Jammu and Kashmir. It’s worth noting that these forest fires are extremely dangerous and they not only cause monetary loss but also cause extensive loss of forest resources, which includes wildlife. These wild lives are not just killed but they are also displaced from their homes due to the ravaging fires that sweep through the forests when they erupt.
Forest Fires Near Shimla
For those who aren’t aware, Shimla is also grey with smoke as fire is burning through the forest nearby. In fact, more than a hundred fire incidents have already been witnessed near the vicinity of Shimla just in the last two weeks! The capital of Himachal Pradesh has reported more than a dozen such fires daily in the past few days.
In case you’re wondering, rain is expected to be a possibility only after June 3, according to the metrological department. This means, there might be cases of more forest fires in the coming days.
So as grievous this as news may be, it’s also important to remain calm as a tourist (or local) and keep in mind that these instances are dangerous. Stay alert and be updated with all the news related to forest fires if you’re visiting areas during the heat wave.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (Images are for representational purposes)
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