New Delhi: Union minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar today said that over 90 per cent of the forest fire that has engulfed large swathes of the state has now been controlled. The situation would be under total control in the next two days, he added.
“More than 90 per cent of the fire has been doused, situation will be completely under control within two days,” Javadekar said.
The announcement comes on a day when the government has been trying to send out a message that it is working relentlessly to douse the situation.
Earlier today, responding to the query raised by Trinamool Congress member Saugat Ray during Zero Hour, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, “The situation in Uttarakhand is completely under control. I can assure you that there is nothing to worry.”
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju also reacted similarly. "As per the latest information, fire has been contained. Situation is under control now," he told reporters.
The minister said a team of experts has already reached Uttarakhand to ascertain the cause of fire and extent of damage.
Also read: 4 arrested in connection with Uttarakhand forest fire, govt says situation under control
Rijiju said, if required, the central government will send more forces to the hill state to assist the state government in dousing the fires.
Four people have been arrested in connection with the forest fire so far.
Earlier, it was believed that natural causes led to the fires before various theories started doing rounds on the possible reason behind the massive fire.
More than 6,100 personnel and three IAF choppers fitted with Bambi bucket to carry water have been deployed in Uttarakhand to extinguish multiple forest fires.
A four-member Central team of experts, including Special Director Centre for Fire Explosives K C Wadha and director of Delhi Fire Services G C Misra have reached Uttarakhand to assess the situation and suggest possible remedies.
The fires began 89 days ago and have so far destroyed nearly 3,000 acres of forest cover.
