SRINAGAR, January 23: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a warning regarding a very high risk of forest fires in Jammu and Kashmir for the upcoming week.
The ongoing dry spell in the area has resulted in a significant uptick in forest fire occurrences, especially within the Jammu region.
“A Very High Forest Fire Risk is anticipated in the forest areas of J&K over the next seven days. In case of an emergency, please call 112,” stated the NDMA.
This warning from the NDMA is effective until 11 a.m. on January 30.
Jammu and Kashmir, an area rich in forests, has approximately 20,230 square kilometers of forest cover, which accounts for about 10% of its total land area. If we exclude Ladakh, which has minimal natural forests, the forest coverage percentage rises to 47%.
The forests in the Kashmir region are mainly classified as dry temperate, featuring species such as Deodar, Kail, and Fir at varying elevations. Although these evergreen forests, with their dense ground cover, are generally less prone to fires, their vulnerability increases during extended dry spells.
According to officials, the region has experienced an 81% deficiency in rainfall from January 1 to 22, totaling only 11.4 mm compared to the average of 60.5 mm for this timeframe. This significant rainfall shortfall highlights the increased susceptibility of the forests to fires amid the persistent dry conditions. (Agencies)
