Sundarbans Fire Under Control: Home Minister Informs Cabinet

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Monday informed the Cabinet that the fire in the Sundarbans is under control and the situation will closely be monitored for next few days.

He raised the latest update over the Sundarbans fire in the Cabinet meeting held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair at the latter’s office here.

Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain briefed reporters after the meeting.

“The Home Minister informed the Cabinet that the fire in the Sundarbans is under control but he didn’t say that the fire was doused completely as the forest fire is not like normal one,” he said adding that it takes time to declare that the forest fire is extinguished.

In case of forests, the fire may be seen again after it seems that the fire is extinguished, said the Cabinet Secretary.

“So, the situation will closely be monitored for the next few days and then the declaration will be made,” he said.

On Saturday afternoon, the fire originated in Latif's Chila area near Amurbunia forest in Chadpai range of eastern Sundarbans in Bagerhat.

According to the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence, it is a bushfire. It has affected a two square-kilometre area, and spots of flames could be seen in different places.

Some 55 members of the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence and 250 volunteers were deployed to put out the fire.

Besides, the navy, air force, coast guard, forest department, police and local administration joined the operation._UNB