Odisha: After forest fire, Similipal braves rain triggered by Yaas Cyclone

BHUBANESWAR: This year has been a roller coaster ride for the Similipal Tiger Reserve. After battling a raging forest fire three months ago, it is now braving incessant rain caused by Cyclone Yaas.
On the day Yaas made landfall, the reserve’s core and buffer areas received very heavy rainfall. Bhanjabasa, a core area, recorded the highest (382.75mm) rain followed by (357.38mm) Ramtirtha, the buffer zone. The Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s rain taken together, Barehipani, which a waterfall and scenic location inside the reserve, received 508mm rainfall.
In the third week of February and most of March, the reserve was grappling with forest fire. The forest field personnel and fire watchers, besides a dedicated temporary workforce, had to pray to the rain god for some respite after days of negotiating the forest terrain to douse the flames.
The fire had reportedly forced prey animals to leave their habitat to escape the heat and smoke. The rich flora looked pale with several shrubs, bushes and small trees gutted. Though no crown fire was reported, ground fire had left a trail of destruction.
The cyclone warning, however, had kept Similipal authorities on their toes. To minimise losses, installations, infrastructure, wildlife and people were removed in advance. The rainfall destroyed 30km roads in the sanctuary and caused some damage to six wooden bridges.
“We had removed the solar panels. There was no damage to the eco-tourism sites,” M Yogajayananda, field director, Similipal, said.