Representational imagePalakkad: A massive forest fire is wreaking havoc along the Western Ghats in Kerala even as forest department officials struggle to control the blaze.
About 2,500 hectares of forest area in the state has been completely destroyed in the wildfire, while nearly 1,200 hectares of land partially burnt.
The Parambikulam forest range in Palakkad along Kerala-Tamil Nadu border is the worst affected. The blaze was also reported in the forests of Attappadi and Nilambur. The raging fire has caused maximum damage in Palakkad, Wayanad and Idukki districts. Areas in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram too have been affected.
Locals living in villages near the forest regions are going through a harrowing time with the summer heat and the wildfire.
No equipment to fight the fire
Only 70 fire watchmen have been deployed for each forest division comprising of 300 square kilometers. Forest department officials are struggling to control the fire as they do not have the required equipment including fire engine and protective gear. No special team has been deployed by the government to control the fire.
