There is a wildfire in Andhra’s Somasila Forest, and efforts are on to put it out
On Wednesday, a devastating wildfire started in the Somasila forest region of the Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh. Officials said that efforts are being made to contain the fire.
Images taken from the scene showed the woodland being consumed by a roaring fire, with thick, black plumes of smoke in the air. The ecological value and rich biodiversity of the Somasila forest are well-known.
A TOI article states that scientists have identified a number of elements, such as high levels of aridity, above-average daytime temperatures, clear skies, and calm breezes during the early summer, as the cause of the recent surge in forest fire events recorded in southern India.
In the meantime, seven teams of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) were sent into susceptible woods on Monday by the state government of Odisha under Naveen Patnaik to battle wildfires.
To put out forest fires, the seven ODRAF teams are stationed in the forest divisions of Baliguda, Phulbani, Rayagada, Bonai, Kalahandi South, Similipal South, and Paralakhemundi.
“All necessary steps have been taken to control wildfire incidents,” Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Debidutta Biswal was cited by PTI as saying.
According to Debidutta Biswal, there were 12,000 forest fire detection sites in the Odisha forest region in 2024 as opposed to 32,500 at the same time previous year.
“Seven ODRAF teams have been stationed in high-risk locations to contain the spread of fire in forest regions. By Tuesday, they would arrive at the location, he said.
