Fires guts forests in Uttarakhand, Centre sends NDRF teams, choppers

The Uttarakhand government has sought Centre's help to fight the forest fires that have erupted in the state. In the last 24 hours, the state has reported at least 45 forest fires. Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat on Sunday called an emergency meeting over the situation.

"We asked the Centre to give us two choppers to control the fire situation. We have been given the same. We are hoping to douse fire using choppers today," CM Rawat said told news agency ANI after the meeting. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured all help to the Uttarakhand government to combat the fire that broke out in the forest area of the state on Saturday.

"To control over the forest fire in Uttarakhand, the Central government has given orders to deploy NDRF teams and provide helicopters to the Uttarakhand government," Shah tweeted in Hindi.

Uttarakhand Minister Harak Singh Rawat informed that the fire broke out at 964 locations in the state.

At least four people and seven animals have been charred to death. "A total of seven animals and four persons died and two persons injured. The weather made it challenging for the state government. The Chief Minister and I are monitoring the situation separately. We will try to douse the fire with helicopters," he said.

"12,000 guards and fire watchers of state forest dept deployed to douse the fire. Fire destroyed property worth Rs 37 lakhs so far," said the Principal Chief Conservator.