J&K | Massive forest fire in Nishat doused in a night-long operation, no injuries reported

Massive fire engulfed the dense forests along the hillock in Nishat and near Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences at Shalimar (SKUAST) in Srinagar on Sunday night. 

Disaster management authorities said the fire has now been controlled at all the places along the hillock.

Fire started from a small ridge and quickly spread to other areas. Forest officials and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams immediately rushed to the spot to douse the flames.  

Specialised teams and equipment were also pressed into service to douse the flames.

"Divisional Commissioner Kashmir personally monitored the situation. Deputy Inspector General of police Kashmir deployed additional manpower to the site to help the Forest Authorities to douse the fire," said Aamir Ali, senior officer at Disaster Management department.

"It was extinguished at two spots, but the third one was slowly pacing towards Rakh of Dachigam," said Ali.

Later the fire was brought under control after hectic efforts in a night-long operation. 

"The fire fighting operation continued till late night under the joint command of Divisional Forest Officer, Urban and Station House Officer of Harwan police Station. It was finally brought under control," Ali added. 

Ali said as a matter of precaution, the team has decided to reassemble, in the morning, if required.

Kashmir is under the grip of dry spell with snow and rain giving a miss this fall in plains.  There has been scant snowfall in mountains and upper reaches of the valley. 

Jammu and Kashmir has a forest area of 20,23,041 hectares of which 12,06,623 hectares are in Jammu and 8,16,418 hectares are in Kashmir including Leh and Kargil. 

About 59 per cent of the geographical area of the state is under permanent snow cover, glaciers and cold desert and unable to support tree growth.

Forests of Jammu and Kashmir exhibit remarkable diversity ranging from sub-tropical to temperate to alpine because of the distinctive geo-climatic conditions prevalent in the state.