Margalla Hills ravaged by wildfire linked to climate change

ISLAMABAD: A wildfire swept through the Margalla Hills National Park and extended over a three-kilometer stretch in the Loi Dundee area of the federal capital in early hours of Saturday.

The blaze was fueled by a heatwave and intensified due to strong winds. Efforts by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Ministry of Climate Change were underway to control the flames.

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Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Romina Khurshid Alam reported that approximately 150 persons from the CDA and the Ministry of Climate Change joined forces to combat the wildfire.

Despite the late hour, their efforts helped put off the fire as the wildfire threatened areas including Loi Dandi, Ratahoter, and Pir Sohawa within the Margalla hills.

Romina Alam attributed the rapid spread of the fire to the prevailing heatwave and heightened wind speeds.

Earlier, the coordinator stated that “formidable challenges” posed by the wildfire and sent the CDA and other relevant authorities to contain the ongoing heatwave, coupled with strong gusts of wind, fueled the flames, spreading rapidly across the landscape.

Romina Alam stated that the firefighting involved numbered around 150 personnel, with precautionary measures implemented to safeguard against potential casualties. Despite the late hour, the dedicated teams remained steadfast in their efforts, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for containment measures.