AP alerts IAF and armed forces to fight Tirumala hills blaze

Hyderabad, Mar 19: Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan alerted the Indian Air Force (IAF) and other armed forces to control the

raging in the

hills in Andhra Pradesh.

An official release issued here today said that specially-designed aircraft with expertise in chemical spraying to put off flames would arrive tonight.

He has directed the Executive Officer of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) to co-ordinate. The Governor is monitoring the situation and it would soon be brought under control, the release said. Andhra Pradesh State Chief Secretary P K Mohanty spoke to the Cabinet Secretary, as well as the secretaries for defence, forest and environment about the issue, another release said.

The Air Force would arrange four helicopters for the purpose and 100 army personnel would be involved in dousing the fire. The Director General Forest and Director General of Fire Services would reach Tirumala tomorrow from Delhi, the release said.

The Chief Secretary has nominated Executive Officer of TTD M G Gopal as the nodal officer for firefighting efforts. He has also instructed the Collector of Chittoor district to co-ordinate operations, the release said.

PTI