Devotees descend to safety after Sathuragiri wildfire

The Western Ghats in the state on Sunday witnessed another forest fire covering huge tracts of land in Virudhunagar and Theni districts.

Recently, there was a wildfire in Kurangani hills in Theni district and also in Kodaikanal hills destroying huge tracts of forest land. In the Kurangani hills fire, 21 people who went trekking, died. 

Against this backdrop, another fresh forest fire erupted in the Sathuragiri hills, adjoining both Madurai and Virudhunagar districts, and it spread to the Western Ghats in Theni district as well. The fire spread over vast tracts of forest land covering thousands of acres in both of the districts.

Forest officials said the temperature was high on Saturday. 

However, in the afternoon there was lightning, and thunder followed by forest fire in beats number 5 and 6 of the Sathuragiri forest area.

Because of the fire, the Forest Department banned the entry of devotees into the Sundara Mahalingam temple, situated atop the Sathuragiri hills. 

The devotees, who were in the temple, were made to stay until the morning and then they were brought down. 

Those who reached the foothills of the Sathuragiri hills said the wildfire was not near the temple but considering their safety, they were not allowed to visit the temple. Also, while descending the hills, they witnessed no fire en route, they said. 

The fire also spread to the Panchanthangi hills near Varusanadu in Theni district and Forest Department staff were involved in containing the forest fire, said the officials.