Forest fires in Uttarakhand's Pauri Garhwal district posed a significant challenge, with thick smoke engulfing Srinagar town and delaying the aerial firefighting operation by an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter. Despite the initial setback, the IAF chopper resumed its operation on the second day to douse the flames near Adwani village.
The forest fires, intensified by dense smoke, disrupted the IAF's plans to begin water spraying early in the morning. However, as visibility improved later in the day, the Mi-17 helicopter recommenced its operation in the afternoon. Conducting five sorties, it aimed to contain the fires near Adwani and neighboring areas.
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As the crisis unfolded, political tensions escalated. The Congress party criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for alleged negligence, highlighting Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's absence from the state during the crisis. In response, BJP defended its efforts, accusing Congress of politicizing the situation.
Amid the political exchanges, Chief Minister Dhami returned to Dehradun to address the situation. He emphasized the government's commitment to tackling the fires through various means, including potential involvement of the Army and stringent actions against arsonists.
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Forest fires in Uttarakhand remain a pressing concern, particularly with the impending Char Dham yatra and the onset of the tourist season. While the government faces criticism for its response, efforts are underway to mitigate the crisis and ensure the safety of both residents and visitors.
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