Editor's Pick | Uttarakhand wildfires: More than 140 hectares of land affected

Over 142 hectares of forest land through the dense foliage in the mountains of Uttarakhand have been burnt away because of massive forest fires. With the fire reaching the vicinity of an Air Force Station near the Nanda range, the Indian Air Force deployed a Mi-17 V5 helicopter to douse the flames using a ‘Bambi Bucket’. The bucket can hold up to 3,500 liters of water at a time. Further, the Indian Army, at the request of the Forest Department, has also deployed two columns for firefighting in Kumaon. According to the Forest Dept, 23 fresh forest fires were reported on Saturday. 31 incidents were reported on Friday and 54 on Thursday. From November 1 last year till date, 575 incidents of forest fire, affecting 689.89 hectares of forest area and costing the State exchequer more than Rs. 14 lakh, have been reported in Uttarakhand. More analysis here. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated the government was working hard to bring the fires under control. Describing the magnitude, the Chief Minister said his government was also working to ensure the provision of necessities and would be holding another round of meetings in Haldwai today. In the meantime, the district administration has made 3 arrests, one in the Tadiyal village and others in North Jakholi. Accused of trying to set fire, the three individuals have been booked under the Indian Forest Act 1927 and sent to jail. Residents of Nainital and nearby areas have complained of a thick blanket of smog engulfing the region due to the leaping flames of the forest fire. In a disappointment to tourists reaching Nainital in the peak summer season, boating in the Naini lake has been stopped because of the blaze. The Hindu’s Profiles Nemat ‘Minouche’ Shafik | President under fire Boeing | Turbulence in the skies Naima Khatoon | Breaking the glass ceiling The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz ‘Loco pilots were not watching cricket at the time of the crash.’ Which train crash is the above investigation referring to? Bihar train accident Rameswaram train accident Balasore train crash Vizianagaram train accident To know the answer and to play the full quiz, click here. [logo] Editor's Pick 28 April 2024 [The Hindu logo] [EP Logo] Editor's Pick 28 April 2024 In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [View in browser]( [More newsletters]( Uttarakhand wildfires: More than 140 hectares of land affected Over 142 hectares of forest land through the dense foliage in the mountains of Uttarakhand have been burnt away because of massive forest fires. With the fire reaching the vicinity of an Air Force Station near the Nanda range, the Indian Air Force deployed a Mi-17 V5 helicopter to douse the flames using a ‘Bambi Bucket’. The bucket can hold up to 3,500 liters of water at a time. Further, the Indian Army, at the request of the Forest Department, has also deployed two columns for firefighting in Kumaon. According to the Forest Dept, 23 fresh forest fires were reported on Saturday. 31 incidents were reported on Friday and 54 on Thursday. From November 1 last year till date, 575 incidents of forest fire, affecting 689.89 hectares of forest area and costing the State exchequer more than Rs. 14 lakh, have been reported in Uttarakhand. More analysis [here.]( Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated the government was working hard to bring the fires under control. Describing the magnitude, the Chief Minister said his government was also working to ensure the provision of necessities and would be holding another round of meetings in Haldwai today. In the meantime, the district administration has made 3 arrests, one in the Tadiyal village and others in North Jakholi. Accused of trying to set fire, the three individuals have been booked under the Indian Forest Act 1927 and sent to jail. Residents of Nainital and nearby areas have complained of a thick blanket of smog engulfing the region due to the leaping flames of the forest fire. In a disappointment to tourists reaching Nainital in the peak summer season, boating in the Naini lake has been stopped because of the blaze. The Hindu’s Profiles [Arrow][Nemat ‘Minouche’ Shafik | President under fire]( [Arrow][Boeing | Turbulence in the skies]( [Arrow][Naima Khatoon | Breaking the glass ceiling]( The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz ‘Loco pilots were not watching cricket at the time of the crash.’ Which train crash is the above investigation referring to? - Bihar train accident - Rameswaram train accident - Balasore train crash - Vizianagaram train accident To know the answer and to play the full quiz, [click here.]( [Sign up for free]( Today’s Best Reads [[Indian men’s team upset Olympic champions Korea to bag historic gold after 14 years at Archery World Cup Stage 1] Indian men’s team upset Olympic champions Korea to bag historic gold after 14 years at Archery World Cup Stage 1]( [[Anurag Thakur’s comments reflect arrogant mentality: Asaduddin Owaisi] Anurag Thakur’s comments reflect arrogant mentality: Asaduddin Owaisi]( [[A matter of taste | The ultimate drink companions to enjoy the match] A matter of taste | The ultimate drink companions to enjoy the match]( [[Arvinder Singh Lovely resigns as Delhi Congress chief, says he was against partnership with AAP] Arvinder Singh Lovely resigns as Delhi Congress chief, says he was against partnership with AAP]( Copyright© 2024, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. If you are facing any trouble in viewing this newsletter, please [try here]( Manage your newsletter subscription preferences [here]( If you do not wish to receive such emails [go here](