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IAF choppers join fight to douse Trikuta Hills fire Katra-Vaishno Devi chopper services resume 5/18/2016 11:15:30 PM Early Times Report Jammu, May 18 : Two of the three major forest fires, which had broken out in Trikuta hills near Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra have been brought under control as Indian Air Force choppers were used in fire-fighting process and sprinkled about 70,000 liters of water in each round to douse the fire. Official sources said three major forest fires had broken out on May 16 and 17 in Trikuta Hills, Sirla / Nangla Range, Devi Pindian Sector and Sukhal Ghati/ Khandi Dhar ridge near Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra. They said the prolonged dry spell coupled with steep slopes and gusty winds led to spread of fire to nearby Ranges of Trikuta Hills. "After the fire broke out, ground teams of the Shrine Board, paramilitary CRPF men, policemen men, forest and fire department personnel launched efforts to control and extinguish the fire," sources said. They said as they could not control fire, authorities sought help of Indian Air Force in extinguishing the fire. "The Air Force conducted six sorties today to sprinkle water over affected areas. The MI 17 deployed for the purpose lifted 70,000 liters of water in each round from the nearly Salal dam," an official said. He said two of the forest fires have been controlled now. "The fire in Trikuta Hills- Sirla/Nangla Range and Devi Pindian sector have been brought under control". The official said intensity and extent of fire at Sukhal Ghati/ Khandi Dhar ridge has also come down. A spokesman of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board said the Yatra including that by helicopters is going on smoothly. He said 33,241 pilgrims had darshan yesterday. The spokesman said about 200 persons deployed by the Shrine Board and CRPF men are camping at various sites on the Trikuta Hills for controlling the fire.   Share This News with Your Friends on Social Network     Comment on this Story

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