Dry Uttarakhand winter likely reason behind Valley of Flowers forest fire| India News
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**Revised Title:** Uttarakhand's Scorching Winter: Valley of Flowers Fire Linked to Record-Low Snowfall **Revised Article:** A forest fire that erupted in the Valley of Flowers, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, six days ago has been confined to the surface, according to a recent aerial survey conducted by senior forest officials. The fire, which broke out on January 9 at an altitude of 11,500 feet, has not spread extensively, but the challenging terrain and dry conditions pose a significant threat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has attributed the surge in forest fires to the lack of winter snowfall and rainfall in the region. "Western disturbances, which are primarily responsible for winter rainfall and snowfall, have been near normal in frequency but weak in intensity since December," said C S Tomar, IMD Dehradun director. "As a result, higher latitude regions like Jammu and Kashmir received some snowfall and rain, while Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand experienced relatively weak weather activity." The state has recorded no rainfall in January, and high-altitude peaks remain snowless. However, Tomar said that January may bring some relief, with improved rainfall and snowfall conditions expected. Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal has asked senior officials to investigate the possible reasons behind the Chamoli fire. The fire, which started near the Alaknanda River, has been difficult to contain due to the challenging terrain and dry conditions. "The forest fire can spread to a large area due to dry weather, inaccessibility, and strong winds, posing a threat to forest wealth and wildlife," said Chamoli district magistrate Gaurav Kumar in a letter to the disaster management secretary. The district administration has requested Indian Air Force (IAF) support to monitor and extinguish the fire, if necessary. Uttarakhand has a significant forest cover, accounting for 45.44% of its geographical area. However, the presence of human habitations near forested regions increases the risk of fires. According to the state forest department, 38 forest fire incidents have been reported since November 1, affecting 18.24 hectares of forest area. No human or animal casualties have been reported. The state has witnessed a sharp increase in forest fire alerts, with 1,153 alerts reported in 2025, a significant increase from previous years. The India State of Forest Report 2023 reported 21,033 forest fires in Uttarakhand between November 2023 and June 2024, the highest among all states.
