Fire in almost all areas in U'khand coming down: Shatrughna Singh

Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Shatrughna Singh on Monday said satellite images showed that there has been a decline in forest fires in Uttarakhand in the past five days and that the fire in almost all areas is under control.

"Today, the satellite images showed that there's been a decline in the number of forest fires in Uttarakhand. Spoke to District Magistrate Nainital, Pauri and Chamoli, fire in almost all areas is under control now. Efforts are being made to control the fire in remaining areas by evening," Singh told ANI here.

"We are trying to mobilise the people, we will also generate awareness program," he added.

Speaking about the arrest being made in regard to the massive fire, he said that the information on arrest has come from three to four places and cannot say the exact number of arrest.

Meanwhile, former chief minister Harish Rawat said that the situation is very worrisome here and there is need to focus on micro management.

Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar has said he has asked to deploy more than 10,000 employees to put out the Uttarakhand forest fire in three-four days.

"More than 6,000 employees are already on the job, while DG (Forest) is leading and coordinating the operation from the front for the past two days," he said, adding that t6he government has already sanctioned the required amount.

"The Prime Minister's Office (PMO), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Indian Air Force are working in tandem, and I am sure that the fire will be put out in three-four days," he added.

Speaking about the reason behind the fire, he said extreme dry weather with no humidity was the reason behind the massive fire.