Uttarakhand reports 447 forest fires, 1 forest worker dead
Uttarakhand has seen 447 forest fires this season, burning through almost 366 hectares of land.
Strong winds have made things worse, spreading flames across districts like Dehradun, Chamoli, and Almora.
The fires have put schools, houses, and major roads in danger.
Tragically, one forest worker lost his life and another is recovering from serious burns.
Chakrata schools damaged, Uttarkashi pilgrims evacuated
In Chakrata, a school had a storeroom charred and window panels of several classrooms damaged to the fire, while apple orchards nearby were scorched.
In Uttarkashi, flames came close to homes and the busy Gangotri Highway. Firefighters had to evacuate about 70 Char Dham pilgrims from a smoke-filled guest house.
A short spell of rain gave firefighters some relief by late evening, but dry weather and tough terrain are still making it hard to control the situation.