Wildfire in Mahabharat Forest, Kavre, still uncontrolled

KATHMANDU: A forest fire that began in the Mahabharat Community Forest in the southern region of Kavrepalanchowk remains uncontrolled.

The fire started on Tuesday afternoon at Thamlekh Hill in Khanikhola Rural Municipality-1.

Chief District Officer Umesh Kumar Dhakal stated on Wednesday evening that teams of the Nepal Army and police had been deployed to coordinate with locals and make efforts to control the blaze.

According to Dhakal, security personnel are monitoring the fire-prone areas and nearby settlements to prevent the fire from reaching residential zones.

He added that immediate evacuation plans are in place should the fire pose a threat to human settlements.

The Division Forest Office in Dhulikhel reported that the fire began at around 2 PM on Tuesday in a steep forested area.

The District Police Office in Dhulikhel confirmed that the fire is still out of control.

According to Krishna Bahadur Thapa, chief of the forest office, a team has been dispatched to assess the situation.

Thapa mentioned that a joint meeting of the district administration and security agencies will be held today to devise measures to control the fire.

Additional manpower and necessary equipment will be mobilized in coordination with other concerned stakeholders, said CDO Dhakal.

The affected area is approximately three kilometers from the nearest human settlement, and authorities have reported no casualties among people or animals so far.