AMN
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) today issued a warning of a very high risk of forest fires in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir over the next seven days. Akashvani Jammu Correspondent reports that the prolonged dry spell in the region has led to a sharp rise in forest fire incidents, particularly in the Jammu region. The NDMA said a very high forest fire risk is likely to occur over forest areas in J&K in the next seven days and in case of any emergency, dial 112. The NDMA warning is valid till 11 AM up to January 30. However, the risk escalates during prolonged dry periods. Officials said that the region has experienced an 81% rainfall deficit from January 1 to 22, receiving just 11.4 mm of rainfall compared to the normal 60.5 mm for the period.