A fire has broken out in the Kolomteji patrol post area of the Sundarbans.
On Saturday, around 12pm, residents of the nearby area saw smoke rising from the Teparbil region of the forest. Later, at 3pm, the Forest Department confirmed the fire. They have started initial efforts to control the blaze.
According to the Forest Department, upon receiving reports from local residents, forest workers rushed to the scene. However, the fire is located far from the canal, and the lack of water sources has made it difficult to contain.
To prevent the fire from spreading across a large area of the forest, forest guards have begun cutting fire lines around the blaze. Four fire service units have also been dispatched to the scene.
Panna Mia, a former Union Parishad member from the nearby Dhansagar area, said: “We saw smoke rising from the forest in the Kolomteji patrol post area of the Sundarbans around noon on Saturday. We informed the Dhansagar station officials about the incident.”
Abtad-e Alam, station officer of the Sarankhola Fire Service and Civil Defence, said: “Fire stations from Sarankhola and Morrelganj have reached the site. Two additional units from Rampal and Kochua are also en route.”
Bipuleshwar Das, station officer of the Dhansagar Station of the Chandpai Range of the Sundarbans East Forest Division, said: “There are no water sources nearby. The fire is burning in the deep forest, about two to two and a half kilometres from the canal. When the tide comes, we will bring water pumps by boat.”
The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Forest Division Kazi Muhammad Nurul Karim said: “I am heading to the site of the fire in the Sundarbans. Once I arrive, I will be able to provide further details on the situation.”
It is worth mentioning that on May 4, 2024, a fire broke out in the Amorbunia area of the Chandpai Range in the Sundarbans East Forest Division.
