Myagdi reports 25 incidents of forest fire for lack of precipitation

MYAGDI, Feb 13: Myagdi district witnessed at least 25 wildfire incidents with the winter season becoming hotter and drier, said the authorities. Unlike in the past, hilly and mountainous areas in the district are waiting for a snowfall and a rainfall this time, thus making the matter worse, said the district forest officer Chandra Mani Sapkota. 

Incidents of fire were reported in forests of six of the eight wards in Annapurna Rural Municipality, he said, adding that most of the areas that caught the flames, are not inhabited by humans, would receive snowfall and rainfall around this time of the year.

Similarly, wildfires have been reported in the high belts of Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality. Other parts engulfed by a wildfire include Gurja, Mudi, Kuhine Mangale and Chimkhola area. Most parts of the forests have been in flames, said the district forest office. "At least 25 forest fire incidents have taken place. This has continued. Forests in the southern belt are being destroyed by a fire," he said.

In the past, these areas were not prone to a fire as they would receive a snowfall and a rainfall during winter, he said, adding that "But, nowadays, forest fire incidents have taken place on a daily basis."

The area is facing drought as there has not been any rainfall and snowfall for the past five months, he said. "So far, the potential areas have not received a snowfall even once. Neither is there any rainfall. The soil is dry. There is no cold," he said.

(RSS)