Kathmandu April 22: The cases of incidents of fire and forest fire have increased with the onset of the summer season. The financial loss of Rs 115 million and five human casualties have been incurred with these incidents of fire. 

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), since April 13, within 10 days of the start of the Nepali New Year, around Rs 115,510,500 in financial loss due to fire have been recorded till April 21. 

It is estimated that a loss of Rs 112,520,000 due to fire and a loss of Rs 2,990,000, due to forest fire has been recorded.

With the onset of the summer season incidents of fire are increasing. 279 incidents of forest fire from April 13 to April 21 have been recorded. Of these, 208 incidents of fire and 71 forest fires were recorded. Five people lost their lives and 21 sustained injuries during this period, of which, 17 received injuries due to fire and four due to forest fire. 

486 families have been displaced due to incidents of fire and forest fire. 137 animals lost their lives in fire and 53 due to forest fire. 

Achham, Rupandehi and Kapilvastu districts are most affected by to fire. 

Risk persistent 

Forest fire expert Sundar Sharma said that the risk of the forest fire is still persistent, therefore, there is a need to be vigilant. 

He said, “There is still a risk of a forest fire. No rainfall has been witnessed, triggering dryness. Therefore, one must be safe from possible forest fires.” 

He said, “The reports showed that the incidents of fire and forest fire have turned big in the last three years. The most aggressive was in 2021 and the same fate is likely if the rainfall is not witnessed in May.”

The heaps of shrubs have been deposited which triggers forest fires.  The incidents of fire have been recorded most where there is the majority of pine trees. 

According to the NDRRMA, three incidents of fire and one incident of forest fire, along with this, three received injuries.