KOLKATA, 26 April, 2021 (TON): To control the Australia-type bushfire raging for two days in Mizoram's Lunglei district, the Indian Air Force helicopters with Bambi Buckets have been pressed into service.

Late on Sunday night, the fire had spread to Lunglei town and villages in the adjoining district of Lawngtlai.

The officials said that the Mizoram fire fighters, assisted by Assam Rifles and Border Security Force troops and local volunteer groups have so far failed to put out the fire.

Late on Sunday evening, the Indian Air Force, receiving a SOS from Mizoram government, pressed into service two Mi-17V5 helicopters, equipped with specialized Bambi Buckets, to control the raging bushfire.

On Saturday, at around 7 in the morning, the fire was sparked possibly by some villagers who were trying to clear the hills near Lunglei town, possibly for shifting cultivation common in the hills of Northeast India.

However, the fire snowballed into a raging bushfire spreading to ten village council areas in and around Lunglei town.

By Sunday night, it had spread to three rural development blocks of Lawngtlai district.

Meanwhile, the officials affirmed that the helicopters somehow helped in controlling the raging fire.