Sundarbans fire rages on as water scarcity delays response

More than 12 hours after the blaze was detected, no water had been sprayed to contain the flames.  

The fire erupted in the Tepar Beel area under the Kolomteji Camp of the Chandpai Range in the Sundarbans East Division. With dry leaves fueling its spread, the fire has already scorched trees and vegetation, sending thick smoke billowing across the region.  

According to the Forest Department, foresters first spotted the fire around 7 a.m. on Saturday. Efforts to create a firebreak spanning 1.5 kilometers were initiated to slow its expansion, with the Forest Department, Fire Brigade, and local villagers working together. However, Assistant Conservator of Forests Dipen Chandra Das confirmed that the absence of a water source nearby has delayed firefighting operations.  

The Fire Service reported that the fire is approximately three kilometers from the Bhola River and the nearest inhabited area. While five fire service units were dispatched, only one reached the site, with others unable to access the location. A 1.5-kilometer pipeline has been laid to draw water from the Bhola River, but an additional 1.5 kilometers is still required before water can reach the affected area.  

"By Saturday evening, we managed to lay half of the necessary pipelines. Work was paused due to nightfall, and the remaining connections will be completed by Sunday morning before water spraying begins," said Aftab-e-Alam, Acting Station Officer of Sarankhola Fire Station.  

Deputy Assistant Director of Bagerhat Fire Station, Sakaria Haidar, confirmed that fire units from Bagerhat, Morrelganj, Mongla, Sarankhola, and Kochua are engaged in the operation, with only the Sarankhola unit managing to reach the fire’s location.  

Over the past 19 years, the Sundarbans has suffered 29 fire incidents, burning nearly 85 acres of forest land, according to the Forest Department.  

The most recent major fire occurred on May 4, 2024, in Latifer Chhila under the Amurbunia Forest Camp, where 7.98 acres were burned. A previous fire on May 3, 2021, struck the Daser Bharani area, while another blaze on May 26, 2017, affected Abdullah Chhila under the Nangli Forest Camp.