TIRUPATI: The fire that broke out in the Seshachalam forest on Thursday at Chamala under the Bakarapeta range was still raging on Saturday. The fire has consumed over 50 acres over two days, officials said.
On Saturday the fire began spreading towards the Dharmagiri Veda Patashala, Srivari Padalu and TV Tower in Tirumala where the TTD forest staff partially succeeded in taming it.
According to TTD officials, the forest area that is on on fire comes under the government’s jurisdiction. TTD joint executive officer for Tirumala K.S. Srinivasa Raju, who inspected the affected region near Dharmagiri, said the officials had contained the fire in the TTD area.
He said the fire affected low-lying shrubs and plants in the area near the Dharmagiri Veda Patashala, Srivari Padalu and TV tower.
The fire spread from the lower hill range due to strong winds, summer heat and the presence of dry leaves, he said, The TTD forest staff in coordination of the fire brigade was busy stopping the fire spreading to other regions, he said.
Tirupati wildlife management district fire officer M. Nagarjuna Reddy said the forest near Nagapatla beat was on fire. “About 70 forest staff has been deployed to the affected area. We are hoping the fire will be put off by midnight.”
