INDIAN NAVY ASSISTS IN FIGHTING FOREST FIRES AT GOA

Goa, 10 March 2023: Major forest fires at multiple locations at Goa, including fire at Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Morlem and Cortalim, were reported by civil authorities. On a request by the District Administration, the Indian Navy deployed its assets to contain the fire. A Dornier was flown on 07 Mar 23 to survey the area and localise the fire. Fire fighting equipment were then flown in from Naval Units based at Kochi and Mumbai and multiple sorties for fighting fire were undertaken by Seaking aircraft of the Navy.

The helicopters flew multiple missions on 08 Mar 23 and sprayed appx 17 tons of water at Mhadei, Cortalim and Morlem, in 26 runs made over affected areas. The complex operation required picking up water from a nearby water body and releasing it over affected area in difficult terrain.

The Special gear LAALDE(Large Area Aerial Liquid Dispersion Equipment) used by the helicopters for this operation was mobilised by the Navy from Mumbai and Kochi on 06 Mar 23, immediately on receiving information from the State Forest Department. Navy helicopters have persisted in these operations since early hours of 07 Mar 23 in coordination with state authorities and forest officials. Three sorties by Seaking helicopters were also undertaken on 09 Mar 23. The efforts were conjoined by IAF deploying its Mi-17 helicopters as well for survey and fire fighting.