Forest fire breaks out near Kodaikanal hills


Madurai: A forest fire has broken out near Kodaikanal hills in Dindigul district.

The fire initially started in the Manjur forest area. It then spread to Mayiladum Parai and Kurusadi forest area. Authorities took steps to control the fire.

Videos from the vicinity show large plumes of smoke distinctly rising above the hill ranges and also some tracts of forest that continue to be ablaze.

According to an official, nearly 50-60 percent of the blaze was brought under control and efforts were underway to control the blaze from spreading further.

Meanwhile, demands to deploy helicopters to doze off the fire has been put forward by activists so as to save the wild animals in the forest area.