Nepal hit by worst wildfires in almost a decade

Nepal is experiencing its worst fire season in almost a decade, officials said yesterday, as huge blazes rage across the country's forests, engulfing the Himalayan nation in a shroud of brownish haze. Air quality in the capital Kathmandu was yesterday ranked as the worst in the world, according to monitoring site IQAir, with some international flights delayed as thick smoke blanketed the city. Firefighters were working to bring the flames under control, officials said.  More than 2,700 wildfires have been reported in Nepal since November, 14 times higher than in the same period last year, the government said. Rijal said the winter season between November and February was drier than usual, increasing the risk. The wildfire season starts in November and lasts until the onset of the monsoon in June.