Forest Fires Break Out In Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha

In Odisha, forest fires have broken out inside the Similipal Tiger Reserve in the Mayurbhanj district following a long dry spell and the prevailing intense heatwave conditions. Fires were noticed in around 31 spots in the Similipal Tiger Reserve yesterday by forest officials. Adequate fire-fighting equipment has been engaged to douse the flames, and the operation is underway on a war footing. The Similipal Tiger Reserve authorities have engaged staff and firefighting squads in all sensitive locations to attend the fire points. 

The Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force team has also been sent to the fire spots. There are reports of forest fires in many other forest areas, including the Angul Forest Division in Odisha.

Meanwhile, intense heatwave conditions



continue to prevail in Odisha, making normal life miserable. Jharsuguda and Keonjhar recorded 43.6 degrees Celsius, the highest in the state, by this afternoon. Amid the scorching heatwave conditions, the state government has announced summer vacations in all schools in Odisha from the 25th of this month. Apart from this, the state government also announced that the schools will run from 6.30 to 10.30 in the morning from tomorrow until Tuesday. 

The Indian Meteorological Department has said that severe heatwave conditions are very likely in many pockets of Odisha until the 25th of this month. It has issued an ‘orange warning’ in 18 districts and a ‘yellow warning’ in 7 districts of Odisha for tomorrow.