Monday, March 16, 2009

Mizo jhum fire took 4 lives, caused flight cancellations

Aizawl, March 16: Regular jhum fires have killed four persons and injured eleven others in the past two months, while all flights in and out of the state stands cancelled since March 13. State fire and emergency officials said that they have received at least 57 cases of fire during the past two months. Airlines officials said here that Indian had stopped their flights between Mizoram's lone Lengpui Airport and Kolkata since March 11. They warned that the situation might not improve till March 19 as massive smoke still hovers in the sky.

Even the smaller aircrafts run by Indian and Kingfisher Airlines have been unable to fly due to low-visibility conditions.

Wing Commander Joe Lalhmingliana, controller of the state civil aviation wing lamented that even after all their efforts, they have not been able to bring down the level of smoke cause by jhum fires.

The state government had yesterday set a deadline of March 15 for farmers to burn their cultivation and also restricted burning of forests before 3 pm, when the flights operate.

Locals, however, are praying for a pre-monsoon downpour to reduce smoke.

Bureau Report


Source: ZEE NEWS

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