Dehradun, June 05: Forest fires raging across parts of Uttaranchal, which claimed eight lives, showed signs of abating today as mild to medium rains lashed several parts of the hill state. The fires are abating due to rains that lashed several parts of the state last evening, Uttaranchal forest commissioner R S Tolia said.

However, he said that all the 13 district magistrates have been asked to remain alert and keep a close watch on the situation. Control rooms have been put into operation in all the 13 districts of the state round-the-clock, he said.
Reports reaching here said the forest area in Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Tehri districts in Garhwal region as well as Almora, Nainital, Bageshwar and Udhamsing Nagar districts in Kumaon region were still smouldering after coming in the grip of intense fire since the past four days.

Preliminary reports said that trees worth crores of rupees were gutted in the fires raging in several parts of the hill state where forest cover is 67 percent.

Meanwhile, Pawan Hans today resumed its helicopter flights to famous Kedarnath shrine which were stopped for two days due to forest fires.

Bureau Report