Staff Correspondent
Baratang, Sept. 9: Traffic movement along the Andaman Trunk Road (ATR) near the bridge at BD Nallah in Middle Strait was disrupted early Wednesday morning after a massive tree was uprooted and fell across the road, leaving convoys and an ambulance stranded on both sides.
The incident was reported at around 5:57 a.m. on September 9, when the Station House Officer of Police Station Baratang informed the Baratang Fire Station about the obstruction. The fallen tree completely blocked the ATR, disrupting the movement of convoys travelling between Sri Vijaya Puram and Diglipur and vice versa.
Responding promptly to the emergency, firefighters from Fire Station Baratang rushed to the spot with disaster management equipment, including two mechanical chain saws, crowbars, daos and ropes. On reaching the site, they found a massive jungle tree measuring approximately 12 metres in length and around two metres in diameter lying across the road.
According to the Fire Station, the tree had been uprooted following intermittent rain accompanied by squally winds since the previous night. With the entire stretch of road blocked, vehicles, including an ambulance, were unable to pass from either direction.
Despite incessant rain and difficult weather conditions, the firefighters immediately began cutting the tree into smaller sections and clearing the debris from the road. Personnel from the Forest Department also assisted the fire service team in the operation.
The road was cleared within a short period, allowing the free movement of convoys to resume on the ATR. The timely response and coordinated efforts of the Fire Station Baratang and Forest Department prevented prolonged disruption to traffic and ensured that the stranded vehicles, including the ambulance, could proceed.
The prompt action and dedication of the firefighters drew appreciation from members of the business community and the general public, particularly for carrying out the operation under inclement weather conditions. No loss of life or injury was reported in the incident.
