Massive wildfire erupts near Tawang Chu River in Arunachal Pradesh, no casualties reported

Itanagar: A massive wildfire broke out near the Tawang Chu River in Arunachal Pradesh's Lungla Sub-Division on Friday, threatening villages but was largely contained due to a swift response by local authorities and Army personnel. Officials reported no injuries or casualties.  

According to a Forest Department official, the wildfire erupted in the river belt of the Tawang Chu River near Sagkyur village, under Pamakhar Circle of Lungla Sub-Division, earlier in the day.  

The fire quickly spread, posing a significant threat to Sagkyur and nearby villages.

“However, the wildfire in the nearby forest continued due to the difficult terrain of steep mountains and dense, inaccessible forest,” the official said.  

Tawang Chu is the primary river of the Tawang district. Originating in Tibet, two rivers join it in Tawang district before it flows into Bhutan and Assam.  

Timely intervention prevents loss of lives  

The Lungla administration, with assistance from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Indian Army personnel from the Tawang Brigade, state police, and local residents, acted swiftly to contain the fire near Sagkyur village.  

Their efforts successfully prevented the wildfire from reaching residential areas and causing potential loss of lives or damage to properties.  

Despite the success in residential areas, the fire continues to burn in dense forests due to the steep and challenging terrain.  

“Timely intervention by the Lungla administration along with the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Indian Army personnel, state police, and local residents contained the fire near the Sagkyur village and residential buildings, successfully preventing potential loss of lives and properties,” the official stated.  

Officiating Additional Deputy Commissioner of Lungla, Ama Nungnu Mara, and District Disaster Management Officer of Tawang, Genden Tsomu, are leading the coordination and containment efforts on the spot.  

Senior officials from the Indian Army, state police, SSB, Border Road Organisation, and the Forest Department are monitoring the situation and continuing efforts to control the wildfire.  

Villagers advised to stay vigilant  

The district administration has urged local residents to remain vigilant and report any further developments or incidents to the authorities immediately. Villagers have been advised to prioritise safety and cooperate with response teams to ensure swift action.  

IANS