Uttarakhand Seeks Air Force Support as Forest Fire Continues Near Valley of Flowers

A forest fire has been burning for five to six days near the Valley of Flowers, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, primarily in the Painkhanda area of Nanda Devi National Park. Difficult terrain and inaccessibility have hindered firefighting efforts, prompting authorities to seek Indian Air Force assistance for aerial water drops. Experts link the fire's persistence to unusually dry winter conditions, including low snowfall and rainfall, which have increased forest fire alerts in the region.