As the hot weather and drought grip the Nuwara Eliya district as well, public co-operation has been sought to prevent forest fires breaking out in the area.
The call came as the drought conditions were worsening, believed to be worst in two decades.
This week’s fire caused extensive damage in the Pidurutalagala area.
The fire brigade, Army, Police and an Air Force helicopter helped by the residents of the area took steps to prevent the spread of the fire.
Nuwara Eliya District Secretary D. P. P. Kumarasisri who visited the location on Wednesday met villagers who helped to control the fire and thanked them while calling on them to continue their efforts to protect the forest reserves.
The Pedro area is an important forest reserve where a vital communication tower is situated at a height of 8, 281 feet above sea level.
There has not been any rain in this area from January and the climate is similar to that found in dry regions like Ampara or Moneragala while the cool weather generally experienced in the hill country is absent.
The dry weather has become a big problem to the people and drinking water in particular is hard to obtain. Agricultural work is at a minimum. |
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