Sundarbans burning again
A fire broke out again in compartment No. 24 of Sundarbans East Division.
Earlier, the fire service and the forest department said the fire was doused completely.
However, the forest department and the Sharankhola fire service started extinguishing the fire again on Wednesday after spotting smoke over the same area of the forest.
Earlier on Monday, a fire broke out at the compartment No. 24 of Daser Bharani patrol outpost of Sundarbans East Division in Bagerhat’s Sharankhola upazila.
The forest department, the fire service and locals brought the fire under control on Tuesday noon, said the authorities concerned. Fire service said the fire was completely doused on Tuesday afternoon. However, upon seeing rings of smoke, they started sprinkling water again from Wednesday morning.
Speaking to Prothom Alo, deputy assistant director of Bagerhat fire service, Md Golam Sarwar said, “There was smoke over the area from morning. However, there was no fire. Fire broke out at different places around noon. Two units of Morelganj and Sadar fire station, including Sharankhola fire station, started working to control the fire from noon.”
Golam Sarwar further said, “The fire burns from time to time. We spotted smoke billowing from different places. We are trying to control the fire by sprinkling water. The fire here is similar to the one that originates from chaffs. The fire is burning and we are extinguishing. It is burning again."
"Now the rule is to sprinkle water. We have made arrangements to provide adequate water. But the danger is that the dry leaves on the ground are like a tunnel under it. Fire is spreading from the bottom. Although we are not seeing, the fire is spreading from the dried leaves on the ground. As there is no source of water close to the spot, some 25 pipes had to be installed to fetch water from the Bhola river," the fire official explained.
Locals say it is now very difficult to control the fire without rain. The fire service is providing water with only one pipe. Being far away, it is not possible to supply water with multiple pipes. As a result, the fire is spreading fast.